New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 44,998 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 57.8 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 17.2% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 30.6% | 5.4% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 4.5% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 24.3% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Palmdale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 8.2% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $503,393 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.8% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.7% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.8% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 63.5°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 24.1 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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