Pomona CA vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Visalia
36.5%
Visalia +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Visalia
55.3%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 135,983 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 20.1% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 36.5% | Visalia + |
| Black | 5.3% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 4.4% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 55.3% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Pomona +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Visalia
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Pomona +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $70,663 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $26,955 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 11.6% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 20.0% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 12.4% | Pomona + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Visalia
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Visalia
2388
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Visalia
12.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 32.2% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.9% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.8% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Pomona +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 41.6 min | Pomona + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Pomona has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Visalia 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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