Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Pomona
32.7%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Pomona
22.7%
Pomona +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Pomona
11.1%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 148,391 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.4 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 32.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 22.7% | Pomona + |
| Black | 0.6% | 5.3% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 11.1% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Pomona
$28,131
Pomona +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Pomona
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Pomona
19.5%
Pomona +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $28,131 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 6.3% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 19.5% | Pomona + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Pomona
$689,570
Pomona +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $689,570 | Pomona + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Pomona
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Pomona
2388
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Pomona
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 28.6% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.4% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Pomona
17.2 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 17.2 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Escondido +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 34.5 min | Escondido + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while pomona offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $689,570. On public safety, Pomona is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. 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, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
Compare More Cities
Escondido, CA vs New York, NYEscondido, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Escondido, CAEscondido, CA vs Houston, TXEscondido, CA vs Phoenix, AZEscondido, CA vs Philadelphia, PA