Palmdale CA vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 69.3% | 39.2% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $33,716 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 25.7% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $648,603 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 56.3% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.7% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Riverside
10.3 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 66.8°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 10.3 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 34.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside 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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