Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 107,436 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.1 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 39.1% | 20.0% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.1% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $38,100 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 29.8% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $851,613 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.8% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
West Covina
36.1 min
West Covina +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 36.1 min | West Covina + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX