Palmdale CA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Surprise
41.6
Surprise +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 41.6 | Surprise + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 6.8% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 5.4% | 4.8% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.6% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 19.2% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $39,604 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 31.0% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.8 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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