Virginia Beach 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)
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
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
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 107,436 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 40.1 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 61.6% | 20.0% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 18.9% | 4.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
9.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $38,100 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 9.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 29.8% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $851,613 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 60.8% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Virginia Beach, 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
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 36.1 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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