Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Detroit
11.7%
West Covina
20.0%
West Covina +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 107,436 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 11.7% | 20.0% | West Covina + |
| Black | 76.8% | 4.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $851,613 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
West Covina
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 36.1 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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%.
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