Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Pomona
11.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 148,391 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.4 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 77.5% | 22.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 5.3% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 11.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Pomona
$78,869
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Pomona
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $78,869 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $28,131 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.3% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 14.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 19.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Pomona
54.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $689,570 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 54.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Pomona
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Pomona
12.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.7% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 17.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.0% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 65.0°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 34.5 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA