Pomona CA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 13.9% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 9.5% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 23.1% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $77,643 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 16.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.3% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Pomona +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 71.3°F | Pomona + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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