Pomona CA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 26,509 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.7 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 7.1% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 3.6% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 5.2% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 3.9% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 36.4% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.0% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 34.0 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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