Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 148,391 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 53.3% | 22.7% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $28,131 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.3% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 19.5% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $689,570 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 17.4% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 34.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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