Lubbock TX 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 148,391 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 64.6% | 22.7% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 5.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $28,131 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.3% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 19.5% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $689,570 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Pomona
17.4%
Pomona +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.4% | Pomona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 34.5 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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