Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
West Covina
4.1%
West Covina +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 40.1 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 81.8% | 20.0% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 4.1% | West Covina + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $38,100 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.2% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 29.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
West Covina
$851,613
West Covina +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $851,613 | West Covina + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
West Covina
503
West Covina +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
West Covina
2388
West Covina +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | West Covina + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | West Covina + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
West Covina
23.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
West Covina
9.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 23.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.8% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.4% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.6% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 36.1 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, 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 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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