New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
New York +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
New York
35.9%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 44,998 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 57.8 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 17.2% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 22.7% | 5.4% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 4.5% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 24.3% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Palmdale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
New York +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | New York, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $71,979 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 8.2% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | New York, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | New York, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | New York, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 30.3% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.8% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.6% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.7% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.1% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | New York, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 63.5°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | New York, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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