Palmdale, CA vs Phoenix, AZ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Palmdale
58
#1956 nationally
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 24). Phoenix leads in average commute (26.7 min vs 41.3 min). Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 130).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 58 (#1956) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 161,404 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $503,499 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $78,414 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 41.3 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 15.1 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | R+3.5 |
F
58 Score
Palmdale, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$503,499
Population
161,404
Crime
High
Walk Score
24
Pacific
View Palmdale, CA →
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →