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Palmdale, CA vs Woodland, CA

129
Palmdale
California
VS
+2.7%
125
Woodland
California

Palmdale, CA and Woodland, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Palmdale scores 129 while Woodland scores 125 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month compared to $1,500/month in Woodland — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Woodland has cheaper rent, Palmdale actually has lower median home values ($435,300 vs $505,200).

Median household income in Palmdale is $81,151 compared to $87,880 in Woodland (-7.7%). Woodland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Palmdale spend roughly 25.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20.5% in Woodland.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Palmdale
129
Woodland
125
3% cheaper
Median Household Income
Palmdale
$81,151
Woodland
$87,880
8% higher

Housing

Median Rent
Palmdale
$1,736
Woodland
$1,500
14% cheaper
Median Home Value
Palmdale
$435,300
14% cheaper
Woodland
$505,200
Population
Palmdale
165,487
Woodland
61,256

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
Palmdale $2,031
Woodland $1,784
12% cheaper
1 Bed
Palmdale $2,272
Woodland $1,871
18% cheaper
2 Bed
Palmdale $2,835
Woodland $2,305
19% cheaper
3 Bed
Palmdale $3,599
Woodland $3,077
15% cheaper
4 Bed
Palmdale $4,010
Woodland $3,552
11% cheaper

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Palmdale $3.28
Woodland $3.22
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Palmdale $2.68
Woodland $2.62
US $2.50
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Milk (whole)
Palmdale $4.31
Woodland $4.22
US $4.03
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Bread (white)
Palmdale $1.98
Woodland $1.94
US $1.85
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Chicken breast
Palmdale $4.44
Woodland $4.35
US $4.14
Electricity
Palmdale $0.27
Woodland $0.26
US $0.19