Palmdale CA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 8.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 5.4% | 1.2% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 23.7% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $51,982 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 44.0% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $528,447 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 63.7% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.7% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.6 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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