Pomona CA vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 8.3% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 3.2% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 20.0% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $46,628 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.9% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 26.6% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 37.2% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 38.0% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.3% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.8% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.3% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.6% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Pomona has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, 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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