Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 107,436 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 40.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 74.3% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 4.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.2% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 29.8% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $851,613 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
West Covina
2388
West Covina +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | West Covina + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | 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
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 36.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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