Palmdale CA vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 6.1% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 5.4% | 2.7% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.9% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 7.8% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $65,745 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $38,200 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 14.6% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 32.6% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 58.3% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Spokane
18.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 35.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.5% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 17.1 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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