Palmdale CA vs St. George UT — 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. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
St. George
99,184
St. George +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
St. George
37.9
St. George +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
St. George
7.4%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 99,184 | St. George + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 37.9 | St. George + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 7.4% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 5.4% | 0.6% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.2% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 12.7% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $36,254 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 34.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
St. George
$456,900
St. George +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $456,900 | St. George + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 32.9% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
St. George
8.8 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 63.9°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 8.8 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while st. George offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $456,900. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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