Pomona CA vs Providence RI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Pomona
22.7%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 22.7% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 5.3% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 5.9% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 44.3% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $66,772 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.4% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 20.1% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.2% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 34.4% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.6% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.7% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.1% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Pomona has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Providence 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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