Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Pomona, CA
🏆 Des Moines leads 14 of 22 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Pomona
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,515 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High
Population
149,831
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $354k less ($170,700 vs $524,700)
Rent averages $636/mo less ($995 vs $1,631)
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Pomona
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.9%)
More college-educated — 28.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Pomona by $11,137/yr
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pomona, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 31°F
Households earn $11,137 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $524,700
Higher rents — median is $1,631/mo
Violent crime (715.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Violent Crime
2% lower
703.0 vs 715.9 per 100k
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$354k less
$170,700 vs $524,700
Des Moines
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.5% unemployment
Pomona
Median Income
$11,137
$73,515 vs $62,378/yr
Pomona
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 90.3°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pomona, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $524,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,631⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $73,515 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 32.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 165⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% ✓ Higher | 18.2% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 72.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Pomona Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 90.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 14.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 149,831 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 53.9% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 24.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 12.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Pomona's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 14 of 22 categories. Des Moines wins 14 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 Des Moines to Pomona or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $524,700 median home), income ($62,378 vs $73,515), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Pomona, CA are about 1,411 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.