Pomona CA vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Riverside
54.6%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 22.4% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 5.3% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 8.3% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 36.7% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.5% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Pomona +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 66.8°F | Pomona + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Riverside
34.1 min
Riverside +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 34.1 min | Riverside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside 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
New York, NY vs Pomona, CALos Angeles, CA vs Pomona, CAChicago, IL vs Pomona, CAHouston, TX vs Pomona, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Pomona, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Pomona, CA