Firstly why Pomona, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Pomona
• State: California
• Population: 151,141 people
• Pomona’s quick summary would be Home to the fairgrounds hosting the annual Los Angeles County Fair and California State Polytechnic University.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 12,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 9,000 annually
• Net Migration: 3000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 2,000
• Number of Homeless people: 800

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features a diverse economy and proximity to Los Angeles appealing to a range of residents

Perk #1: Pomona Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 30%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 52%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $64,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Pomona is $74,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $10000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Pomona’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 125 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,045
• Property Tax %: 1.12%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,800
• Rent for an average house: $2,600
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Pomona
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Pomona, Claremont, La-Verne, San-Dimas, and probably could include Montclair
• Avg. Age of Homes in Pomona: 64 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.3%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Pomona’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Pomona are  Manufacturing, Education, and Healthcare
• Pomona Job Scene: limited job market in education and local services
• The General Tech Scene: limited tech engagement mainly in education and local service industries , ,
• Pomona Resident’s pay $1,200 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Pomona: 10.25%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 200 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 14

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Pomona

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $140 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-10 runs through Pomona connecting it to nearby areas
• Commute Time: 25 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: evening bottlenecks on the I-10
• Transportation Score: 56 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Pomona: 85,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.6
• No. of Car Washes: 7 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Pomona: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 63 of 100
• Local Airport: Ontario International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Pomona’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
• General Weather in Pomona is best described as has hot dry summers with temperatures exceeding 100°F and mild winters with occasional cold fronts
• Winter Weather in Pomona i’d describe as mild and dry
• Spring Weather in Pomona can be described as warm with occasional rain
• Summer’s in Pomona are mostly hot and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Pomona is usually warm and dry
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 28 days in summer
• Days in a row in Pomona below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 16 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality predominantly impacted by vehicles
• Pomona Winter Air mixed air quality often impacted by urban emissions

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Pomona Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Pomona 4
• While the number of trade schools inside Pomonas’s city limits are 3
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Pomona Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Pomona Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Pomona only Doctors is about 70
• Local Hospitals here is  4
• Full-time Pomona only Police Officers is about 300
• Crime Rate Index: 60/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Pomona’s Monthly utility bill average is $150
• Pomona’s Monthly Gym Membership: $55
• Pomona’s Water Quality Score: 67

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Pomona

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 9 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: diverse city with a focus on education and community activities
• You might enjoy shows at the Pomona Fox Theater
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Pomona  has a lively nightlife scene with local bars restaurants and cultural events showcasing community talent

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Pomona

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features local diners and a mix of fast food options
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 40 scattered around Pomona
• The Popular Sports Team is Pomona High School
• Top Level Political Climate in Pomona can be described as diverse community facing social and economic challenges
• Pomona’s Longer standing religious establishment is Pomona First Baptist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Pomona Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Pomona has 38 Parks?
• Ganesha Park is Pomona’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Pomona Farmers Market normally open Saturday 7am-12pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, cycling, and parks

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Pomona Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Pomona can be described as urban atmosphere with a strong educational presence
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Pomona exploring parks local sports festivals at community centers
• The Cities people commute to from Pomona are Los-Angeles 27 miles away Ontario 10 miles away Claremont 11 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Pomona or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: evening bottlenecks on the I-10. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Pomona’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Pomona is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Pomona are Los-Angeles 27 miles away Ontario 10 miles away Claremont 11 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 60 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Pomona has 0 days in a row below freezing and 28 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Pomona people have an average (positive or negative) $10000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   800 homeless people living in Pomona. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general diverse community facing social and economic challenges could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Pomona.

Retiree & Senior Life in Pomona

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can access tax credits tailored for property tax reduction
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Pomona Valley
• Pomona Senior Center provides meal programs recreational activities and support resources for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Pomona, California?

If Pomona, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Pomona, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!