Palmdale CA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Portland
12.4%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 38.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 12.4% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.4% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 11.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $55,312 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $538,687 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 52.8% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.7% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 78.3 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.5 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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