Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 107,436 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 40.1 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 46.4% | 20.0% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 4.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $38,100 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 29.8% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $851,613 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
West Covina
503
West Covina +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
West Covina
2388
West Covina +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | West Covina + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | West Covina + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
West Covina
11.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 36.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, West Covina is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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