Palmdale CA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Scottsdale
49.2
Scottsdale +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 49.2 | Scottsdale + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 11.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 2.0% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 9.4% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $858,307 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 72.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 10.3 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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