Moving from Lancaster, CA to Palmdale, CA
It is a short 10 mi hop from Lancaster, CA to Palmdale, CA β roughly 16 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
10 mi Β· 16 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 14, CA 138 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Glendale, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% above Lancaster β $465,847 β $501,257 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 7.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Palmdale β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.56 |
Households in Palmdale earn about 0.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
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 98Β°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.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 7.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 10 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 6.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 10 mi and the route typically takes 16 min via CA 14 and CA 138. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Palmdale, CA.