Pomona vs Lexington: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Pomona, California compare to Lexington, Kentucky? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Lexington is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 112% higher in Pomona compared to Lexington, while rent is 53% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 4% in KY.
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Lexington, KY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $524,700 | $247,900 | +111.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,631 | $1,065 | +53.1% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $73,515 | $66,087 | +11.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $26,064 | $40,953 | -36.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 4.0% | +232.5% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 6.0% | +44.7% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 149,831 | 321,276 | -53.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Pomona
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Lexington
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Pomona costs $524,700 compared to $247,900 in Lexington — a 112% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,631/mo in Pomona vs $1,065/mo in Lexington.
- Income: Median household income is $73,515 in Pomona and $66,087 in Lexington.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 4% in Kentucky.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).