Pomona CA vs Tacoma WA — 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%

Tacoma, WA

Washington · Population: 220,482

  • Median HH Income$83,857
  • Median Home Price$496,966
  • Unemployment5.3%
  • Bachelor's+33.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Pomona
148,391
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Tacoma
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Pomona +
Tacoma
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
Tacoma
39.2 in

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +

Which City is Right for You?

Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.

Compare More Cities

About Pomona & Tacoma