Akron OH vs West Covina CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 107,436 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 40.1 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 56.1% | 20.0% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 4.1% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Akron, OH | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Akron, OH | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $851,613 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Akron, OH | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Akron, OH | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 36.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. West Covina has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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