Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 148,391 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.4 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 39.1% | 22.7% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 5.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $28,131 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.3% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 19.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $689,570 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Pomona
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Pomona
12.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.7% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.4% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.0°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Pomona
34.5 min
Pomona +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 34.5 min | Pomona + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Pomona has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, 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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