Palmdale CA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Portland
11.1%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 11.1% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.4% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.2% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 3.1% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Portland
$52,125
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $52,125 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,587 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $561,069 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 46.7% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.3% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 47.3 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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