Palmdale CA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 69.3% | 40.7% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $66,772 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $36,694 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 20.1% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 34.7% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 41.2% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 34.4% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.4 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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