Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Davenport +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Davenport +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Palmdale
69.3%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Davenport +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 44,998 | Davenport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 57.8 | Davenport + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 75.9% | 69.3% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 5.4% | Davenport + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.2% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $503,393 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.8% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.6% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.7% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | 63.5°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.1 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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