Chula Vista CA vs Palmdale CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chula Vista
8,933
Palmdale
44,998
Palmdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 44,998 | Palmdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 57.8 | Chula Vista + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 17.2% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 0.7% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 24.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Palmdale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $71,979 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 8.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 13.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
65.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 65.0% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Palmdale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Palmdale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 30.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.6% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.1% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 63.5°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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