Palmdale CA 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
West Covina
40.1
West Covina +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 40.1 | West Covina + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 69.3% | 20.0% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 4.1% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
West Covina
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $38,100 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 29.8% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $851,613 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 60.8% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
West Covina
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
West Covina
2388
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
West Covina
12.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 36.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, West Covina is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. 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
New York, NY vs Palmdale, CALos Angeles, CA vs Palmdale, CAChicago, IL vs Palmdale, CAHouston, TX vs Palmdale, CAPalmdale, CA vs Phoenix, AZPalmdale, CA vs Philadelphia, PA