Palmdale CA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 14.3% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 48.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.1% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $62,917 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $32,983 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 17.1% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 28.7% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 52.4% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 34.9% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 24.5% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.0% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 68.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 34.9 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.5 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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