Palmdale CA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 8.6% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 43.2% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.1% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 10.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $62,671 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $44,249 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 18.8% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 44.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 43.5% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.7% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.9% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 43.6 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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