Los Angeles neighborhood guide
West Covina
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in West Covina
Rent control: West Covinahas no local rent-stabilization ordinance we track, so California's statewide cap (AB 1482) is the main protection. It limits annual increases on most buildings at least 15 years old, with exemptions. Verify a building's status before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How West Covina scores for you
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West Covina is a city of about 109,500 people in the central San Gabriel Valley, roughly 19 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It's primarily residential, built around a car-dependent suburban framework with a modest downtown core and scattered commercial strips. The city has grown steadily as a bedroom community for workers throughout the greater LA region.
Life here centers on family living, shopping, and easy freeway access to employment hubs across LA County. The city ranks in the lower third of the region overall (18th percentile), reflecting its car-first layout and limited transit, but it offers quieter, more spacious living than denser neighborhoods closer to downtown.
Living here
Day-to-day life in West Covina requires a car for most errands and commuting. You'll find restaurants, groceries, and gyms within a short walk in some pockets, but the city is spread out enough that most residents rely on their vehicles. Traffic on major corridors ranks above average for the region, so commute times can add up depending on where you work.
Parks like Friendship Park and Cameron Park provide green space for families and recreation. Shopping options range from big-box stores to smaller ethnic markets, especially Asian and Latin groceries. Schools and family-oriented amenities are widely available, making this a practical choice for households prioritizing space and suburban convenience over walkability.
Who it's for
West Covina works best for renters who own or plan to own a car and value suburban space and affordability over walkability and transit access. It suits families, long-distance commuters willing to drive, and anyone seeking a quieter, less dense alternative to inner-ring LA neighborhoods. If you need frequent transit use or prefer walking for most errands, this city will feel limiting.
Environment & livability
Air quality: below the California median for diesel PM exposure.
Air quality here is better than average for the state. Worth noting if you have respiratory sensitivities.
Traffic exposure: above-average traffic corridor exposure.
Higher traffic proximity correlates with elevated noise, diesel emissions, and reduced pedestrian comfort on nearby streets.
Tree cover: very limited tree cover, predominantly concrete.
Low canopy areas tend to run hotter and feel more exposed. Research links tree cover to lower ambient temperatures and improved pedestrian comfort.
Walkability: walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
A mixed walkability area. Good for quick trips on foot, but some destinations will require driving or transit.
Transit: minimal transit access, car strongly recommended.
Very infrequent or no meaningful transit nearby. Car dependency is high in this area.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in West Covina
Population
87,636
Renters
38%
of households rent
Median age
39
Median income
$101k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in West Covina
26 public schools sit inside this area · 25 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Elementary Elementary | 3-6 | 42% | 44% |
| Cameron Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 41% | 34% |
| Grovecenter Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 54% | 54% |
| Hollingworth Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 37% | 32% |
| Merced Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 66% | 71% |
| Merlinda Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 47% | 38% |
| Mesa Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 65% | 62% |
| Monte Vista Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 45% | 48% |
| Orangewood Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 40% | 37% |
| Rowland Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 57% | 49% |
| San Jose Charter AcademyCharter Elementary | K-8 | 75% | 63% |
| Stanley G. Oswalt Academy Elementary | K-8 | 69% | 56% |
| Telesis Academy of Science & Math Elementary | K-8 | 47% | 29% |
| Vine Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 58% | 49% |
| Wescove Elementary Elementary | K-2 | — | — |
| Workman Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 45% | 36% |
| Edgewood Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 33% | 24% |
| Grandview, College Preparatory Academy Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 36% | 21% |
| Hollencrest Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 51% | 35% |
| Traweek Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 45% | 29% |
| Walnut Grove Intermediate Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 39% | 29% |
| Coronado High (Continuation) High School | 11-12 | 12% | 5% |
| Mt. SAC Early College Academy at West Covina High School | 9-12 | 69% | 37% |
| Nogales High High School | 9-12 | 54% | 14% |
| Santana High (Continuation) High School | 10-12 | 23% | 4% |
| South Hills High High School | 9-12 | 68% | 34% |
Source: California Dept. of Education (directory) and CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2025. We publish these figures as the state reports them and show the same table for every neighborhood. Saktoo does not rate schools, and school data is never part of a neighborhood match score. Attendance boundaries change — confirm the assigned school with the district before relying on it.
Around West Covina
Food 4 Less · GW Supermarket · Island Pacific Supermarket · La Amapola Market
85°C · Starbucks · TEAA Cafe · Tierra Mia Coffee
37.2 Degree Tea · Arna's Pizza · BJ's · Buffalo Wild Wings
Aroma Park · Big League Dreams · Butterfield Park · Cameron Park
Gold's Gym · Personal Secret Spa · Planet Fitness
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to West Covina
What the census says about West Covina
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe West Covina; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 37 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 76%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1967
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 9%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 4%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 93%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 68%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 23,967
- total housing units
Averaged across 43 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Finding a place in West Covina
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Frequently asked questions
Is West Covina walkable?+
Partially. Some neighborhoods have grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance, but the city overall ranks well below the regional average for walkability. You will need a car for most weekly errands and work commutes.
What is transit access like?+
West Covina has no Metro rail stations. Public bus service is minimal and ranks in the lower tier for the region. A personal vehicle is strongly recommended for reliable mobility.
How is air quality and traffic?+
Air quality ranks below the California median for diesel PM exposure. Traffic on major corridors is above average for the region, particularly during rush hours, so expect congestion on commute routes.
What amenities are nearby?+
Coffee shops, restaurants, groceries, and gyms are available throughout the city, but scattered rather than concentrated. You will typically find 1-5 of each amenity type within a short walk depending on your exact location.
What is the average rent in West Covina?+
Current residents of West Covina pay a median rent of about $2,165 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in West Covina?+
West Covina has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 46 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to West Covina?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to West Covina are Mayflower Village, Glendora, Charter Oak and Covina.