Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 107,436 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.1 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 44.0% | 20.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $851,613 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2388 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 36.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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