Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 148,391 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.4 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 69.7% | 22.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 5.3% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Pomona
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $28,131 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.3% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 14.2% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 19.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Pomona
54.6%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $689,570 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 54.6% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Pomona
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Pomona
12.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.7% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.4% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.0% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Pomona
65.0°F
Pomona +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Pomona
17.2 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 65.0°F | Pomona + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 17.2 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 34.5 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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