Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 107,436 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 40.1 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 41.5% | 20.0% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 4.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $38,100 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 29.8% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $851,613 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
West Covina
11.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 36.1 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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