Washington DC 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)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
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
Washington
672,079
Washington +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Washington +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 107,436 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 40.1 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 39.1% | 20.0% | Washington + |
| Black | 43.3% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
West Covina
$98,570
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
West Covina
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $98,570 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $38,100 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $77,230 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 29.8% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $851,613 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Washington +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Washington +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
West Covina
14.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 12.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 14.7% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.4% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | 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.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 36.1 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. West Covina has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, 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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