Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 44,998 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 57.8 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 11.7% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 76.8% | 5.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 8.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $503,393 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.7% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 63.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, 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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