Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
West Covina
36.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Elizabeth +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
West Covina
53.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 107,436 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.1 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 36.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 20.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Black | 17.1% | 4.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 53.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
West Covina
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $851,613 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 36.1 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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