Palmdale CA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 69.3% | 49.1% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $64,382 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $708,498 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 47.5% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 53.2 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 30.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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