Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
West Covina
40.1
West Covina +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 40.1 | West Covina + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 76.6% | 20.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $38,100 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 29.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $851,613 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 60.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Charleston, WV | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 36.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Chicago, ILCharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PA