Pomona CA vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 47,823 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.8 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 11.6% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.8% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 1.6% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 61.1% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $50,294 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $28,418 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 24.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Pomona + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Pomona + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 31.9% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Pomona is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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