Moving from Goodyear, AZ to Palmdale, CA
It is a 377 mi drive, roughly 7h 21m, between Goodyear, AZ and Palmdale, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
377 mi · 7h 21m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 138, I 215 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Palmdale runs about 9.9% more expensive overall than Goodyear — RPP 103.316 → 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Palmdale run about 9.9% pricier — ZHVI $469,424 → $501,257 (2026-03).
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Goodyear | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 107°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 7.3" |
Annual temperature drops 10.3°F moving to Palmdale per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Palmdale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 3.56 |
Palmdale households earn about 9.9% less than Goodyear at the median — $101,814 → $81,151 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.3°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Palmdale, CA from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 377 mi and the route typically takes 7h 21m via I 10 and CA 138. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $101,814 in Goodyear — a 20.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Goodyear?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $469,424 in Goodyear — a 6.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Goodyear to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 377 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Goodyear?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 9.9% higher than Goodyear (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Goodyear and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 73.9°F in Goodyear (10.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 7.4 in.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ · Palmdale, CA.