Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 148,391 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.4 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 36.5% | 22.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 5.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $28,131 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 19.5% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $689,570 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 503 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2388 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.0% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 65.0°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 34.5 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Milwaukee, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Milwaukee, WIChicago, IL vs Milwaukee, WIHouston, TX vs Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee, WI vs Phoenix, AZMilwaukee, WI vs Philadelphia, PA