Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Salem, OR
VS
West Covina, CA
🏆 West Covina leads 12 of 23 categories
Salem
Oregon
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,540
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
West Covina
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$96,219 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
63 ✓ Safer
Population
108,173
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Salem, OR
Pros
Homes cost $315k less ($349,500 vs $664,500)
Rent averages $830/mo less ($1,224 vs $2,054)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than West Covina
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (6.1%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 90°F
Cons
Median income trails West Covina by $28,679/yr
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
West Covina, CA
Pros
55% less violent crime than Salem
Households earn $28,679 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (239.3 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 48°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $664,500
Higher rents — median is $2,054/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Salem
Key Differences at a Glance
Salem
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 102.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Salem
Median Home Value
$315k less
$349,500 vs $664,500
Salem
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
6.1% vs 6.7% unemployment
West Covina
Median Income
$28,679
$96,219 vs $67,540/yr
West Covina
Violent Crime
55% lower
239.3 vs 532.2 per 100k
West Covina
Summer Heat
6.8°F warmer
July avg high 90.3°F vs 83.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Salem, OR | West Covina, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $349,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $664,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,224 ✓ Lower | $2,054⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $96,219 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 12.3% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 137⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 133⚠ High | 100 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (89) | B- (92) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% ✓ Higher | 29.8% |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% ✓ Higher | 86.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | West Covina Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.5°F | 90.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 16.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 175,754 ✓ Larger | 108,173 |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 39.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% | 16.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Salem's cost of living index is 102.4 vs West Covina's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Salem is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, West Covina leads 12 of 23 categories. Salem wins 11 and West Covina wins 12. 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 Salem to West Covina or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($349,500 vs $664,500 median home), income ($67,540 vs $96,219), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Salem, OR and West Covina, CA are about 798 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.