Moving from Pomona, CA to Irvine, CA
It is a short 34 mi hop from Pomona, CA to Irvine, CA — roughly 46 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.
34 mi · 46 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, I 5, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Corona, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pomona | Irvine | 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 Irvine sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $690,986 in Pomona to $1,557,982 in Irvine, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Pomona -0.8%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pomona | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 14.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.1°F vs 64.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Irvine sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pomona | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $78,869 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.75 |
Irvine households earn about 0.0% more than Pomona at the median — $78,869 → $129,647 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine 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
- Dry climate: Irvine sees only 14.1 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 household income compare in Pomona vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $78,869 in Pomona — a 64.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Pomona and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 65.1°F in Pomona (0.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 14.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Pomona to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 34 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Pomona?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $50,490 in the Pomona 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 Irvine compared to Pomona?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $690,986 in Pomona — a 125.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Irvine, CA from Pomona, CA?
The driving distance is 34 mi and the route typically takes 46 min via CA 57 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pomona.
City profiles: Pomona, CA · Irvine, CA.