Palmdale CA vs Peoria AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Peoria
42.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 42.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 11.3% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 5.4% | 3.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 19.7% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Peoria
$45,831
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $45,831 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 35.5% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Peoria
$488,428
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $488,428 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 31.2 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,428. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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