Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Pomona
22.7%
Pomona +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 148,391 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 11.7% | 22.7% | Pomona + |
| Black | 76.8% | 5.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Pomona
$28,131
Pomona +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Pomona
19.5%
Pomona +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $28,131 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.3% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 19.5% | Pomona + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $689,570 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Pomona
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 17.4% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 65.0°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 34.5 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA