Tempe AZ 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 107,436 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 40.1 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 60.1% | 20.0% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 4.1% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $38,100 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.2% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 29.8% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $851,613 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Tempe +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
West Covina
9.6%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.8% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.4% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.6% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 36.1 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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