Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Salem
1.6%
West Covina
4.1%
West Covina +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 107,436 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.1 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 69.8% | 20.0% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 4.1% | West Covina + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 29.8% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $851,613 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
West Covina
2388
West Covina +
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | West Covina + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.8% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 36.1 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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