Pomona CA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Salem
12.2%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.7 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 12.2% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.6% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 3.5% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 23.4% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $71,900 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 14.7% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Pomona +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Pomona + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 41.4% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.8% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.2% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.4% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 39.7 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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