Palmdale CA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 10.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 40.8% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.8% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $51,339 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $27,054 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 25.3% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 19.7% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 49.5% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 39.6% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 21.1% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.5% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Palmdale, CALos Angeles, CA vs Palmdale, CAChicago, IL vs Palmdale, CAHouston, TX vs Palmdale, CAPalmdale, CA vs Phoenix, AZPalmdale, CA vs Philadelphia, PA