Lancaster 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 148,391 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.4 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 35.5% | 22.7% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 21.4% | 5.3% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Pomona
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $28,131 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.3% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 19.5% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Pomona
54.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $689,570 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 54.6% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Pomona
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Pomona
2388
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
30.6%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.4% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Pomona
17.2 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 65.0°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 17.2 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 34.5 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Pomona is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. 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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