Independence 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 107,436 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.1 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 72.2% | 20.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.1% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $851,613 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 60.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
West Covina
2388
West Covina +
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | West Covina + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Independence, 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
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 36.1 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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