Palmdale CA vs Port St. Lucie FL — 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Port St. Lucie +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 43.7 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 19.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 69.3% | 60.0% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.2% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 23.0% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $36,352 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 26.8% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $327,700 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 30.5% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.0 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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