Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Palmdale
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Palmdale
Rent control: Palmdalehas no local rent-stabilization ordinance we track, so California's statewide cap (AB 1482) is the main protection. It limits annual increases on most buildings at least 15 years old, with exemptions. Verify a building's status before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How Palmdale scores for you
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Palmdale is a sprawling suburban city in the Antelope Valley, about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles and separated from the LA Basin by the San Gabriel Mountains. It is the second-largest city in the Antelope Valley and serves as a regional hub for the high desert communities that dot northern Los Angeles County.
The city offers wide-open space and a quieter pace than closer-in Los Angeles neighborhoods, though at the cost of car dependence and distance from the urban core. Palmdale's draw lies in affordability, new housing stock, and access to high desert living without the extreme remoteness of smaller Antelope Valley towns.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Palmdale revolves around driving. The city ranks 291st out of 319 in walkability, meaning most errands, shopping, and social activities require a car. Public transit exists but is limited and infrequent, ranking 21st in the region, so it is not a reliable primary option for getting around. However, traffic is moderate and less congested than many LA County areas, so commutes within Palmdale tend to be straightforward.
The air quality in Palmdale is notably cleaner than the regional average, ranking 46th in the region, which is a real advantage for those sensitive to smog. The trade-off for many renters is the distance to coastal areas, entertainment hubs, and job centers in central LA, making Palmdale most practical for those working locally or willing to accept a longer commute.
Who it's for
Palmdale works best for renters who prioritize space and affordability over walkability and urban convenience, or for those with jobs in the Antelope Valley or aerospace/industrial sectors that anchor the region. It suits families seeking new construction and suburban amenities, commuters willing to drive, and anyone drawn to the high desert environment. It is not ideal for those dependent on public transit or wanting a neighborhood walk score.
Environment & livability
Air quality: cleaner air than most of California.
Long-term diesel PM exposure is linked to elevated respiratory and cardiovascular risk. This area is well below the state median.
Traffic exposure: moderate traffic exposure, below the state median.
Traffic proximity here is better than average for California.
Walkability: car-dependent area with very limited walkable access.
Designed primarily for driving. Daily errands on foot are difficult. Transit may partially substitute depending on your commute.
Transit: limited transit, infrequent service in this area.
Transit exists but headways are long enough that a car or bike is more practical for most daily trips.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Palmdale
Population
84,043
Renters
32%
of households rent
Median age
33
Median income
$78k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Palmdale
31 public schools sit inside this area · 30 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaverde Hills Elementary | K-6 | 44% | 23% |
| Barrel Springs Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 47% | 37% |
| Buena Vista Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 30% | 22% |
| Chaparral Prep Academy Elementary | K-5 | 27% | 25% |
| Cimarron Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 31% | 24% |
| Cottonwood Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 66% | 56% |
| Desert Rose Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 25% | 21% |
| Dos Caminos Dual Immersion Elementary | K-8 | 35% | 20% |
| Esperanza Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 39% | 26% |
| Golden Poppy Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 20% | 22% |
| Joshua Hills Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 24% | 17% |
| Los Amigos - Dual Immersion Elementary | K-8 | 52% | 35% |
| Manzanita Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 21% | 13% |
| Mesquite Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 28% | 20% |
| Oak Tree Community Day Elementary | K-8 | 2% | 2% |
| Palm Tree Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 30% | 23% |
| Palmdale Discovery Center Elementary | K-8 | — | — |
| Palmdale Learning Plaza Elementary | K-8 | 51% | 32% |
| Quail Valley Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 27% | 24% |
| Rancho Vista Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 40% | 32% |
| Summerwind Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 21% | 16% |
| Tamarisk Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 13% | 9% |
| Tumbleweed Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 30% | 16% |
| Yellen Learning Center Elementary | 1-8 | 2% | 2% |
| Yucca Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 17% | 12% |
| Hillview Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 52% | 36% |
| Highland High High School | 9-12 | 41% | 13% |
| Palmdale High High School | 9-12 | 35% | 7% |
| William J. (Pete) Knight High High School | 9-12 | 42% | 12% |
| Antelope Valley Learning AcademyCharter Elementary-High Combination | K-12 | 28% | 7% |
| Palmdale Aerospace AcademyCharter Elementary-High Combination | K-12 | 37% | 18% |
Source: California Dept. of Education (directory) and CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2025. We publish these figures as the state reports them and show the same table for every neighborhood. Saktoo does not rate schools, and school data is never part of a neighborhood match score. Attendance boundaries change — confirm the assigned school with the district before relying on it.
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What the census says about Palmdale
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Palmdale; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 45 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 74%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1985
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 8%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 4%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 91%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 78%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 21,673
- total housing units
Averaged across 37 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Palmdale in the regional index
How Palmdale places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Tree cover, clean air, little traffic
Ranks #6 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Low rent and clean air together
Ranks #8 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #15 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Palmdale
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Palmdale?+
Yes. Palmdale is car-dependent, with limited walkability and infrequent public transit. Most residents drive for daily errands and getting around the city. A vehicle is essential unless your job and home are very close.
What is the air quality like?+
Palmdale has cleaner air than most of California, ranking well above the regional average. The location in the Antelope Valley, north of the smog-prone LA Basin, is a major air-quality advantage for residents.
How far is Palmdale from Los Angeles?+
Palmdale is about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, separated by the San Gabriel Mountains. A commute to central LA typically takes 60-90 minutes depending on traffic and your destination, making it practical mainly for those working in the Antelope Valley or willing to accept a significant drive.
Is there public transit in Palmdale?+
Palmdale has limited public transit with infrequent service. While some bus routes serve the city, transit is not reliable for daily commuting or getting around without a car.
Is Palmdale walkable?+
Palmdale ranks #322 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, car-dependent area with very limited walkable access.
What is the average rent in Palmdale?+
Current residents of Palmdale pay a median rent of about $1,750 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Palmdale?+
Palmdale has cleaner air than most of California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 24 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Palmdale?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Palmdale are Quartz Hill, Sun Village, Lancaster and Littlerock.