Pomona's housing stock is older and more affordable than much of western Los Angeles County, reflecting its history as an early-20th-century agricultural and industrial center. The city's neighborhoods hold a substantial inventory of craftsman bungalows, Spanish-style homes, and mid-century single-family residences, alongside small apartment buildings and newer infill. Lot sizes vary, with many established, tree-lined streets and some hillside and gated communities offering larger homes. Ownership and rental are both common, and the market attracts first-time buyers and households seeking more space at lower price points than coastal Los Angeles, while retaining rail and freeway access to the broader region.

Pomona's neighborhoods range from its historic downtown and Arts Colony to hillside and planned communities. The Arts Colony and downtown hold the city's oldest commercial and residential fabric, centered on galleries, studios, and the Fox Theater. Phillips Ranch, in the city's southern section, is a newer, largely residential planned community anchored by the historic Phillips Mansion. Lincoln Park, Westmont, and Ganesha Hills are among the established districts that give the city its varied character, with Ganesha Hills offering hillside homes and views. North Pomona and the areas near Cal Poly Pomona add collegiate and suburban housing, creating a mosaic of housing types across the city's roughly 23 square miles.

Pomona's lifestyle blends education, arts, and major regional events. The downtown Arts Colony, centered near 3rd Street, is home to art galleries, studios, and the restored Fox Theater, which anchors live music and performance. The city's Second Saturday Art Walk draws visitors to the historic core, while the Fairplex hosts the annual L.A. County Fair, NHRA drag racing, and a motorsports museum. A diverse dining scene reflects the city's multicultural population, and Cal Poly Pomona's campus brings a collegiate energy. Community life is enriched by Western University of Health Sciences, several museums, and a network of neighborhood parks, giving Pomona a dense, urban-suburban character distinct within the San Gabriel Valley.

Pomona is served by the Pomona Unified School District for public K-12 education, operating elementary, middle, and high schools across the city. Higher education is a defining feature: Cal Poly Pomona, part of the California State University system, lies mostly within the city, while Western University of Health Sciences provides graduate health-sciences education. Mt. San Antonio College, a large community college, sits just west of the city in Walnut. This concentration of institutions gives Pomona strong educational resources and a collegiate presence unusual for a city of its size, supporting both families and students within the community.

Pomona is one of the eastern San Gabriel Valley's best-connected cities. Metrolink's San Bernardino Line serves the downtown Pomona station, linking the city to Los Angeles Union Station and San Bernardino, while the Riverside Line serves the Pomona North station. The Metro A Line's eastern extension reaches Pomona North, connecting the city to the broader Metro rail system. Freeways include State Route 60, Interstate 10, State Route 57, and State Route 71, providing access to Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Foothill Transit and Omnitrans buses supplement rail service, making Pomona a genuine transit hub for the region's eastern edge.

Pomona offers recreation anchored by the Fairplex, which hosts the L.A. County Fair, NHRA drag racing, and community events, alongside the NHRA Motorsports Museum. Ganesha Park provides sports fields, picnic areas, and views of the valley, while the Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park and Puddingstone Reservoir lie just west of the city in San Dimas, offering boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. The Claremont Hills Wilderness Park and the San Gabriel Mountains are nearby for more extensive hiking. The city's Arts Colony and downtown add cultural recreation through galleries, live music at the Fox Theater, and monthly art walks, giving residents a mix of outdoor and cultural amenities.