Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 148,391 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 41.5% | 22.7% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 5.3% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Pomona
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $28,131 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 14.2% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 19.5% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $689,570 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Pomona
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Pomona
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Pomona
12.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.0% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.7% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.4% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.5% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.0% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 65.0°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 34.5 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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