Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Birmingham +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 148,391 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.4 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 25.6% | 22.7% | Birmingham + |
| Black | 67.1% | 5.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $28,131 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.3% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 19.5% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $689,570 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Pomona
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 17.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 65.0°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 34.5 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Pomona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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