Palmdale, CA vs San Marcos, CA
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
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
San Marcos leads in crime level (6.1 vs 15.1). San Marcos leads in average commute (26.7 min vs 41.3 min). San Marcos leads in walk score (33 vs 24).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 58 (#1956) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 161,404 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $503,499 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $78,414 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 41.3 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 15.1 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 166 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+16.8 |
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-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →
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