Pomona, CA vs Riverside, CA

Pomona, CA and Riverside, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Pomona scores 140 while Riverside scores 137 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Pomona is $1,738/month compared to $1,812/month in Riverside — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pomona has cheaper rent, Riverside actually has lower median home values ($542,100 vs $569,600).

Median household income in Pomona is $78,869 compared to $88,575 in Riverside (-11%). Riverside offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Pomona spend roughly 26.4% of their income on rent, more than the 24.5% in Riverside.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.1°F vs 66.2°F). Pomona receives more rainfall at 10" per year compared to 9.4" in Riverside.