Palmdale CA vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 69.3% | 53.2% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 9.1% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $41,594 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 43.5% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 53.2% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Saint Paul, 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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