Moving from Palmdale, CA to Pomona, CA
Moving from Palmdale, CA to Pomona, CA covers 73 mi and about 1h 44m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
73 mi · 1h 44m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | N3, FH 59, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | 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 |
Pomona and Palmdale are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Pomona typical home at $690,986 is 0.0% above Palmdale at $501,257 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Pomona -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 14.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.6°F vs 65.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 148,391 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $78,869 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 3.55 |
Household income lines up — $81,151 vs $78,869 on ACS 5-year 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 20–30% 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 90°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 — 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 the job market in Pomona compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pomona MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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 much do homes cost in Pomona compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $690,986 in Pomona vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 37.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Pomona?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.1°F in Pomona vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 7.3 in.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Pomona?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,869 in Pomona vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 2.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pomona, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 73 mi and the route typically takes 1h 44m via N3 and FH 59. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Pomona?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 73 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Pomona, CA.