Berkeley CA vs Pomona CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Pomona
11.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 148,391 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.4 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 54.8% | 22.7% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.3% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 11.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Pomona
$78,869
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Pomona
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $78,869 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $28,131 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.3% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 19.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Pomona
$689,570
Pomona +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $689,570 | Pomona + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Pomona
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Pomona
2388
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Pomona
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Pomona
12.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 28.6% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 17.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 65.0°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 34.5 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while pomona offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $689,570. On public safety, Pomona is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Pomona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA