Palmdale CA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 75,721 | Renton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 69.3% | 48.7% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 2.2% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 6.8% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $765,686 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 45.2% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.1% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 40.1 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.4 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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