Palmdale CA vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
St. Charles
71,542
St. Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 71,542 | St. Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 4.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 5.4% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.4% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 7.7% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $55,578 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $31,499 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 18.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 22.7% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 61.4% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 35.9% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.4% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Charles, MO | 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
Palmdale +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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