Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Pomona, CA
It is a short 35 mi hop from Costa Mesa, CA to Pomona, CA β roughly 45 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
35 mi Β· 45 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, CA 55, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Riverside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Pomona | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Costa Mesa and Pomona sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $690,986 in Pomona, a 0.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Pomona -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 14.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 65.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Pomona sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 148,391 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $78,869 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.55 |
Pomona households earn about 0.0% less than Costa Mesa at the median β $110,073 β $78,869 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pomona MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pomona average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Pomona sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Pomona?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,869 in Pomona vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 28.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pomona compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $690,986 in Pomona vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 51.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pomona compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pomona MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Pomona, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 35 mi and the route typically takes 45 min via CA 57 and CA 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Pomona?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 35 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Pomona, CA.