Waco TX 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)
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Waco
141,925
Waco +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waco
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Waco
29.2
Waco +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Waco
9.8%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Waco
2.0%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Waco
29.9%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Waco
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 107,436 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 40.1 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 54.0% | 20.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.1% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 29.9% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waco
$51,468
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Waco
$28,819
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waco
$63,758
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Waco
24.0%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Waco
28.6%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Waco, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,468 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,819 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.2% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.0% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Waco
48.9%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Waco, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,465 | $851,613 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
442
Waco +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
2339
Waco +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Waco, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
36.8%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
13.0%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waco
20.4%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waco
20.4%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waco
16.2%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waco
15.1%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Waco, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
66.6°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
36.4 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waco
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Waco, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Waco, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.7 min | 36.1 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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