Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 107,436 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 40.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 57.6% | 20.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 4.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.2% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 29.8% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $851,613 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Covina
23.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
West Covina
14.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Covina
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Covina
9.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 36.1 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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