San Diego 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 107,436 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 40.1 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 50.4% | 20.0% | San Diego + |
| Black | 5.7% | 4.1% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
West Covina
$98,570
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
West Covina
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $98,570 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $38,100 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 29.8% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
West Covina
$851,613
West Covina +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $851,613 | West Covina + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
West Covina
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
West Covina
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, 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
San Diego
24.2%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
West Covina
9.6%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.8% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.4% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 36.1 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while west Covina offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $851,613. On public safety, West Covina is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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