Palmdale, CA, known as "The Aerospace Capital of America," is a dynamic city with a rich history and a strong community spirit. Located in northern Los Angeles County, Palmdale is approximately 60 miles north of downtown Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Edwards Air Force Base. This medium-sized city is celebrated for its aerospace industry, beautiful desert landscapes, and cultural attractions.
Palmdale's climate features hot, dry summers and mild winters, ideal for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Palmdale Amphitheater and the expansive Marie Kerr Park, which offer hiking, biking, and opportunities for family picnics.
The cultural scene in Palmdale is vibrant, with attractions like the Palmdale Playhouse, the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark, and the Antelope Valley Mall. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Palmdale Jazz and Wine Festival and the Kaleidoscope Art and Music Festival, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Palmdale, with the Palmdale School District providing education to its students. The city is also home to higher education institutions such as Antelope Valley College and nearby California State University, Bakersfield - Antelope Valley. This focus on education makes Palmdale an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as Palmdale Regional Medical Center, also supports a strong job market and ensures residents have access to top-notch medical care.
Living in Palmdale combines the benefits of urban amenities with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and Metrolink, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its aerospace heritage, cultural richness, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Palmdale offers a dynamic and fulfilling experience.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Schools
The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.
Located in the state of California, Palmdale is a medium-sized city with a population of 153,240 residents. More than a quarter of the residents of Palmdale identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 42% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Palmdale tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 32 is far below the national average. In Palmdale, only 50% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. An important consideration when living in Palmdale is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 42 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Palmdale could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Palmdale and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Palmdale to California and the national average.
Using data and statistics Palmdale has received a livability score of 57 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 30th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a lower than the US average livability score as Palmdale does not rank well for most categories. For each of the livability categories, we see that Palmdale ranks very well for housing (A+). Unfortunately for Palmdale, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and education (F).
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Palmdale market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Palmdale is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Palmdale come in at $302,800, which is 26% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Palmdale, the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 28.1% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | Palmdale | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 42min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.6% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.9% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.7% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.5% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.1% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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