Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Memphis +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 107,436 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.1 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 25.0% | 20.0% | Memphis + |
| Black | 62.9% | 4.1% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $851,613 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
West Covina
503
West Covina +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | West Covina + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
West Covina
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.7% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 36.1 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, West Covina is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Memphis, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TNChicago, IL vs Memphis, TNHouston, TX vs Memphis, TNMemphis, TN vs Phoenix, AZMemphis, TN vs Philadelphia, PA