Palmdale CA vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 7.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 5.4% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.7% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 22.4% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $58,568 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $31,987 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 17.4% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 25.0% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 57.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 35.4% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.9% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.9% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 28.9 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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