Palmdale CA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 12.1% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 51.9% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 10.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $45,845 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $27,570 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 29.6% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 30.5% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 41.3% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 41.5% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 20.8% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 41.5 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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%.
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