Palmdale CA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Palmdale +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 26,509 | Palmdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 7.1% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.4% | 3.6% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 3.9% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $57,602 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.4% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.0% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 34.0 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.3 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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