Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 44,998 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 57.8 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 17.2% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 8.5% | 5.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 4.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 24.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Palmdale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $71,979 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Palmdale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Palmdale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 30.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.6% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.1% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 63.5°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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