Pomona CA vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Pomona
22.7%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 99,507 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 5.8% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 5.3% | 4.3% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 1.4% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 42.2% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $64,146 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Pomona +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 33.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 22.3% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.7% | Pomona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 19.7% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Pomona +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Pomona, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 68.5°F | Pomona + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 35.7 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. San Marcos 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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