Palmdale vs Fort Collins: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Palmdale, CA and Fort Collins, CO, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Fort Collins, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 166,895 | 168,758 |
| Median household income | $78,414 | $78,977 |
| Median home value | $397,500 | $497,400 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,625 | $1,576 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Palmdale, CA and Fort Collins, CO comes down to what you value most. Palmdale has the lower median home value, and Fort Collins has the lower median rent.
Fort Collins has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Palmdale or Fort Collins?
- By median home value, Palmdale is the cheaper of the two ($397,500 vs $497,400). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Palmdale or Fort Collins?
- Median household income is $78,414 in Palmdale versus $78,977 in Fort Collins, per the US Census Bureau.