Pomona CA vs Santa Clarita CA — 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%

Santa Clarita, CA

California · Population: 229,021

  • Median HH Income$119,926
  • Median Home Price$802,780
  • Unemployment5.3%
  • Bachelor's+39.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Pomona
148,391
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Pomona +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Santa Clarita
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Santa Clarita
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Santa Clarita
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Pomona +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min

Which City is Right for You?

Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while pomona offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $689,570. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Pomona & Santa Clarita