Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 44,998 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 57.8 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 17.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 5.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $71,979 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Palmdale
30.3%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Palmdale
12.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 30.3% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 63.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA