Pomona CA vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 147,649 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.5 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 12.3% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 5.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 3.7% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 20.6% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $53,328 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.6% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 21.9% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 53.8% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Rockford
15.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 44.7% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.4% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.0% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.1% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 36.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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