Pomona CA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 13.6% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 5.3% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 4.7% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 12.7% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 51.2% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 30.9% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 46.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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