Palmdale CA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 69.3% | 21.8% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 1.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $28,813 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 14.2% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 15.5% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $751,711 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 47.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 32.8% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 22.4% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 15.5 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.8 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas 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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