Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Pomona, CA
🏆 Arvada leads 15 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
Pomona
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,515
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High
Population
149,831 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
60% less violent crime than Pomona
Households earn $32,499 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (3.8%)
More college-educated — 47.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Pomona
Cons
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Pomona, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 47°F
Homes cost $28k less ($524,700 vs $553,000)
Rent averages $75/mo less ($1,631 vs $1,706)
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $32,499/yr
Violent crime (715.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (2753.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Arvada
Median Income
$32,499
$106,014 vs $73,515/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
60% lower
285.6 vs 715.9 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.5% unemployment
Pomona
Median Home Value
$28k less
$524,700 vs $553,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pomona, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $524,700⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $1,631⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $73,515 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min ✓ Shorter | 32.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 165⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 131⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 18.2% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 72.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Pomona Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 90.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" | 14.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 149,831 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 53.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 24.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 12.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Pomona's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Arvada is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 15 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 15 and Pomona wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arvada to Pomona or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $524,700 median home), income ($106,014 vs $73,515), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Pomona, CA are about 801 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.