Palmdale CA vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 69.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $530,668 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.7% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 8.3 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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