Living in Palmdale, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Palmdale · Census data 2020–2024
Palmdale has 164,634 residents with a median age of 33. The median household income is $81,770 (18% lower than the California median), the median home value is $471,000, the median rent is $1,802/month.
Palmdale at a glance
- Population
- 164,634
- Median age
- 33State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $81,770State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $471,000State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,802/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 66.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.1%
- Average commute
- 40 min
Is Palmdale a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 36% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the California median; an average commute of 40 minutes; unemployment of 8.3%; a poverty rate of 15.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and October–November.
Cost of living in Palmdale
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Palmdale the median home value is $471,000, 42% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,802 per month, which is 40% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,384 a month in housing costs.
Palmdale median household income
The median household income in Palmdale is $81,770 and the income per person is $29,441. 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Palmdale: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 48,467
- Owner-occupied
- 66.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.8%
- Vacant
- 4.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1989
- Average household size
- 3.55
Palmdale demographics
- Population
- 164,634
- Median age
- 33
- Under 18
- 29.5%
- 65 and older
- 11.1%
- Households
- 46,373
- Foreign-born
- 25.4%
- Veterans
- 4.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Palmdale ›
Education in Palmdale
17.1% of adults 25 and older in Palmdale have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 5.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Palmdale
- Unemployment rate
- 8.3%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 40 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 9.1%
- Drive alone
- 72.5%
- Public transit
- 0.9%
- Walk to work
- 0.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 93%
Palmdale vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | $471,000 | $1,802 |
| Desert View Highlands | 2,613 | $76,094 | $360,400 | $2,002 |
| Quartz Hill | 11,510 | $105,443 | $485,300 | $1,540 |
| Acton | 7,880 | $113,000 | $733,400 | $3,056 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | $446,600 | $1,764 |
| Littlerock | 1,398 | $56,792 | $357,300 | $1,782 |
| Sun Village | 11,036 | $72,173 | $384,700 | $1,753 |
| Leona Valley | 1,465 | $131,667 | $711,300 | — |
| Agua Dulce | 2,828 | $146,107 | $933,400 | $3,501 |
More for people moving to Palmdale
Palmdale ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Palmdale: FAQ
What is the median household income in Palmdale, CA?
The median household income in Palmdale is $81,770, 18% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Palmdale?
The median home value in Palmdale is $471,000, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Palmdale?
The median gross rent in Palmdale is $1,802 per month, about 40% of household income.
Is Palmdale, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 36% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the California median; an average commute of 40 minutes; unemployment of 8.3%; a poverty rate of 15.7%.
What is the median age in Palmdale?
The median age in Palmdale is 33 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Palmdale?
The average commute to work in Palmdale is 40 minutes; 9.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Palmdale?
The unemployment rate in Palmdale is 8.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Palmdale?
17.1% of adults in Palmdale have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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