Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pomona, CA
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Pomona
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,515 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
149,831
Springfield
Missouri
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pomona, CA
Pros
Households earn $30,065 more per year on average
39% less violent crime than Springfield
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 43°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $524,700
Higher rents — median is $1,631/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Springfield
Violent crime (715.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $378k less ($146,400 vs $524,700)
Rent averages $753/mo less ($878 vs $1,631)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Pomona
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.8%)
More college-educated — 30.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Pomona by $30,065/yr
Violent crime (1178.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4184.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Pomona
Median Income
$30,065
$73,515 vs $43,450/yr
Pomona
Violent Crime
39% lower
715.9 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$378k less
$146,400 vs $524,700
Springfield
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $524,700⚠ High | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,631⚠ High | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,515 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.1 min⚠ High | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 165⚠ High ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (79) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.1:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.2% | 30.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 72.4% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Pomona Unified | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer | 43.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.3°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.5" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 13.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 149,831 | 168,873 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 24.3% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pomona's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Pomona wins 11 and Springfield wins 12. 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 Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($524,700 vs $146,400 median home), income ($73,515 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pomona, CA and Springfield, MO are about 1,387 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.