Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 44,998 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 57.8 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 17.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 22.9% | 5.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 24.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.2% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $503,393 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.6% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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