Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 40.1 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 57.5% | 20.0% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 4.1% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $851,613 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.4% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 36.1 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Roanoke 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Roanoke, VALos Angeles, CA vs Roanoke, VAChicago, IL vs Roanoke, VAHouston, TX vs Roanoke, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Roanoke, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Roanoke, VA