Palmdale CA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Wilmington
71,124
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 71,124 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 8.3% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 32.4% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.6% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 11.8% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $55,269 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $38,786 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,087 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 23.2% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 33.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 46.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 41.0% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.0% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.4% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 49.3 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.0 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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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