Palmdale CA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 69.3% | 51.8% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $71,302 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $49,513 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 15.9% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 44.6% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 50.2% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 31.9% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.9% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 73.4°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 46.3 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.8 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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