Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Gresham
67.7%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 44,998 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 57.8 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 67.7% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 4.4% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.5% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $71,979 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.2% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 13.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $503,393 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.8% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.7% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Palmdale
7.4 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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