Palmdale CA vs Peoria IL — 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, IL

Illinois · Population: 11,626

  • Median HH Income$83,102
  • Median Home Price$132,671
  • Unemployment4.8%
  • Bachelor's+27.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Palmdale
44,998
Palmdale +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Peoria
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Peoria
27.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Peoria
1842
Peoria +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Peoria
15.1%

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
Palmdale +
Peoria
38.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
Peoria
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Peoria
34.4 min

Which City is Right for You?

Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Palmdale & Peoria