Grand Rapids 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 148,391 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.4 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 61.0% | 22.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 5.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $28,131 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 19.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Pomona
54.6%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $689,570 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 54.6% | Tie |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 65.0°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.5 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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