Henderson NV 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)
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
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
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Henderson
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Henderson
42.5
Henderson +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Henderson
14.1%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Henderson
64.7%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Henderson
6.2%
Henderson +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Henderson
18.3%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Henderson
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 324,523 | 44,998 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 57.8 | Henderson + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 64.7% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 6.2% | 5.4% | Henderson + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 4.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Henderson
$49,141
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Henderson
$62,696
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Henderson
6.7%
Henderson +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Henderson
36.8%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,654 | $71,979 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,141 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.2% | Henderson + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 13.7% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Henderson
$487,098
Henderson +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
Palmdale
65.0%
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,098 | $503,393 | Henderson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 65.0% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Henderson
460
Henderson +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Henderson
2417
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Henderson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Henderson
10.9%
Henderson +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Henderson
17.5%
Henderson +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Henderson
15.6%
Henderson +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Henderson
12.8%
Henderson +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.9% | 30.3% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.8% | Henderson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.6% | Henderson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.7% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.8% | Henderson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.1% | Henderson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Henderson
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Henderson
N/A
Palmdale
7.4 in
| Metric | Henderson, NV | 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.)
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Henderson
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Henderson
26.0 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, while henderson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,098. On public safety, Henderson is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Henderson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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