Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pomona, CA
VS
Richmond, CA
🏆 Pomona leads 15 of 22 categories
Pomona
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,515
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
149,831 ✓ Larger
Richmond
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
115,619
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pomona, CA
Pros
22% less violent crime than Richmond
Homes cost $100k less ($524,700 vs $624,800)
Rent averages $222/mo less ($1,631 vs $1,853)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 58°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
Cons
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)
Median income trails Richmond by $13,103/yr
Property crime (2753.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Richmond, CA
Pros
Households earn $13,103 more per year on average
More college-educated — 32.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 90°F
Cons
Violent crime (923.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Pricier housing — median home is $624,800
Property crime (2762.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Pomona
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 115.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Pomona
Violent Crime
22% lower
715.9 vs 923.1 per 100k
Pomona
Median Home Value
$100k less
$524,700 vs $624,800
Pomona
Summer Heat
19.5°F warmer
July avg high 90.3°F vs 70.8°F
Richmond
Median Income
$13,103
$86,618 vs $73,515/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Richmond, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $524,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $624,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,631⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,853⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,515 | $86,618 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.1 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 34.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 11.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 165⚠ High ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (79) | C+ (86) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.2% | 32.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 72.4% | 79.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Pomona Unified | West Contra Costa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer | 58.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.3°F ✓ Warmer | 70.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.5" ✓ Drier | 24.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 149,831 ✓ Larger | 115,619 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% ✓ Higher | 51.9% |
| Under 18 | 24.3% ✓ More | 21.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pomona's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Richmond's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Pomona is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Pomona leads 15 of 22 categories. Pomona wins 15 and Richmond wins 7. 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 Pomona to Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($524,700 vs $624,800 median home), income ($73,515 vs $86,618), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pomona, CA and Richmond, CA are about 372 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.