Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 107,436 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 40.1 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 41.5% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Black | 37.5% | 4.1% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
West Covina
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 29.8% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $851,613 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Rochester, NY | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 36.1 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. 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 Rochester, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Rochester, NYChicago, IL vs Rochester, NYHouston, TX vs Rochester, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Rochester, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Rochester, NY