Palmdale CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 69.3% | 58.0% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $67,544 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $35,825 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 19.8% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 34.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 42.4% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 35.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.9% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.1% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.5% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 48.1 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.3 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester 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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