Moving from El Monte, CA to West Covina, CA
It is a short 9.0 mi hop from El Monte, CA to West Covina, CA — roughly 14 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
9.0 mi · 14 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, N8 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Monte | West Covina | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, West Covina +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Monte | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 14.5" |
Annual average temperatures in El Monte (66.0°F) and West Covina (65.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
West Covina gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 107,436 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $98,570 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 3.3 |
West Covina households earn about 0.0% more than El Monte at the median — $64,484 → $98,570 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Covina MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Covina average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: West Covina sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in West Covina compare to El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the West Covina MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in West Covina compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $852,373 in West Covina vs $765,444 in El Monte — a 11.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in El Monte vs West Covina?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,570 in West Covina vs $64,484 in El Monte — a 52.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is West Covina, CA from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 9.0 mi and the route typically takes 14 min via I 10 and N8. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between El Monte and West Covina?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.1°F in West Covina vs 66.0°F in El Monte (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 15.7 in.
When is the best time to move from El Monte to West Covina?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 9.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA · West Covina, CA.