Pomona CA vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pomona
148,391
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Pomona
22.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 22.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Pomona +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 40.5% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.1% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.1% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.5% | Pomona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.2% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pomona. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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