Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rochester, MN
VS
West Covina, CA
🏆 Rochester leads 15 of 22 categories
Rochester
Minnesota
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$83,973
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
120,848 ✓ Larger
West Covina
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$96,219 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
63
Population
108,173
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Rochester, MN
Pros
Homes cost $396k less ($268,800 vs $664,500)
Rent averages $836/mo less ($1,218 vs $2,054)
36% less violent crime than West Covina
22% cheaper overall cost of living than West Covina
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails West Covina by $12,246/yr
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
West Covina, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 23°F
Violent crime is well below the national average (239.3 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $12,246 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $664,500
Higher rents — median is $2,054/mo
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Rochester
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Rochester
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 93.1 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Violent Crime
36% lower
154.0 vs 239.3 per 100k
Rochester
Median Home Value
$396k less
$268,800 vs $664,500
Rochester
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.7% unemployment
West Covina
Median Income
$12,246
$96,219 vs $83,973/yr
West Covina
Summer Heat
10.0°F warmer
July avg high 90.3°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rochester, MN | West Covina, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.1 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $268,800 ✓ Lower | $664,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,218 ✓ Lower | $2,054⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $83,973 | $96,219 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 50 ✓ Safer | 78 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 41 ✓ Safer | 63 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 ✓ Safer | 100 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 49.1% ✓ Higher | 29.8% |
| High School or Higher | 94.3% ✓ Higher | 86.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rochester Public School District | West Covina Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 22.5°F | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 90.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" | 16.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 120,848 ✓ Larger | 108,173 |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% ✓ Higher | 62.4% |
| Under 18 | 23.6% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 15.7% | 16.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rochester's cost of living index is 93.1 vs West Covina's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Rochester leads 15 of 22 categories. Rochester wins 15 and West Covina wins 7. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Rochester to West Covina or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($268,800 vs $664,500 median home), income ($83,973 vs $96,219), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rochester, MN and West Covina, CA are about 1,520 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.