Pasadena 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)

Pasadena, TX

Texas · Population: 125,983

  • Median HH Income$112,470
  • Median Home Price$218,978
  • Unemployment3.1%
  • Bachelor's+47.4%

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
Pasadena
125,983
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Pomona
11.1%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Pomona
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Pomona
$78,869
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Pomona
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Pomona
19.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Pomona
54.6%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
Pomona
2388

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Pomona
17.4%
Pomona +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Pomona
17.2 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Pomona
34.5 min
Pomona +

Which City is Right for You?

Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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

About Pasadena & Pomona