Palmdale CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Waco
9.8%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 9.8% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 54.0% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.0% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $51,468 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $28,819 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 24.0% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 28.6% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 48.9% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.8% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.0% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 20.4% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.4% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 66.6°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 36.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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%.
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