Palmdale CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Reno
16.1%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 16.1% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 63.5% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 3.2% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $45,180 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 35.7% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $570,934 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 49.4% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.9% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 8.3 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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