Palmdale CA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Plano
39.3
Plano +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 39.3 | Plano + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 69.3% | 53.2% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 16.2% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Plano
$57,753
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $57,753 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $507,575 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 56.6% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 31.2% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Plano, TX | 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
Palmdale +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.6 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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%.
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