Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 107,436 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 40.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 54.8% | 20.0% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 4.1% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
West Covina
$98,570
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
West Covina
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $98,570 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $38,100 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 29.8% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
West Covina
$851,613
West Covina +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $851,613 | West Covina + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
West Covina
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
West Covina
2388
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
West Covina
23.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
West Covina
9.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 23.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 9.6% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 36.1 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while west Covina offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $851,613. On public safety, West Covina is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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