New Orleans LA 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)
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 148,391 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.4 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 31.6% | 22.7% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 55.2% | 5.3% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $28,131 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.3% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 19.5% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $689,570 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Pomona
503
Pomona +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Pomona
2388
Pomona +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Pomona + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Pomona + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.0% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.4% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 34.5 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Pomona is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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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