Palmdale CA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Salem
12.2%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 12.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 5.4% | 1.6% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 23.4% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $71,900 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $36,477 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 14.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 31.4% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 55.7% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 41.4% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 39.7 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.5 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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