Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Vancouver, WA
VS
West Covina, CA
🏆 Vancouver leads 12 of 23 categories
Vancouver
Washington
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,626
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
West Covina
California
11
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.
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Homes cost $261k less ($403,400 vs $664,500)
Rent averages $529/mo less ($1,525 vs $2,054)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.6%)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than West Covina
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 90°F
Cons
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails West Covina by $22,593/yr
Property crime (3407.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
West Covina, CA
Pros
59% less violent crime than Vancouver
Households earn $22,593 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 47°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)
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Vancouver
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 106.6 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Vancouver
Median Home Value
$261k less
$403,400 vs $664,500
Vancouver
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.7% unemployment
West Covina
Median Income
$22,593
$96,219 vs $73,626/yr
West Covina
Violent Crime
59% lower
239.3 vs 582.3 per 100k
West Covina
Summer Heat
9.4°F warmer
July avg high 90.3°F vs 80.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | West Covina, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $403,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $664,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,525⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,054⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,626 | $96,219 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 153⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 162⚠ High | 100 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (97) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.2% ✓ Higher | 29.8% |
| High School or Higher | 91.3% ✓ Higher | 86.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Evergreen School District (Clark) | West Covina Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.0°F | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.9°F | 90.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.4" | 16.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 4.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 190,700 ✓ Larger | 108,173 |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 39.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 16.1% | 16.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Vancouver's cost of living index is 106.6 vs West Covina's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Vancouver is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Vancouver leads 12 of 23 categories. Vancouver wins 12 and West Covina wins 11. 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 Vancouver to West Covina or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($403,400 vs $664,500 median home), income ($73,626 vs $96,219), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Vancouver, WA and West Covina, CA are about 838 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.