Moving from Palmdale, CA to Victorville, CA
It is a short 49 mi hop from Palmdale, CA to Victorville, CA — roughly 1h 9m 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.
49 mi · 1h 9m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 138, CA 18, US 395 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Victorville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.3% cheaper overall in Victorville than Palmdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.3% under Palmdale — $501,257 → $436,009 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Victorville -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 5.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Victorville — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, VICTORVILLE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 135,983 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $70,663 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 32 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 8.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 3.63 |
Households in Victorville earn about 6.3% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Victorville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Victorville 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: Victorville sees only 5.6 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 — 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
Is Victorville more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Victorville is 6.3% lower than Palmdale (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Victorville compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Victorville MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Victorville compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $436,009 in Victorville vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 13.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Victorville, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 49 mi and the route typically takes 1h 9m via CA 138 and CA 18. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Victorville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 49 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Victorville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.9°F in Victorville vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 5.6 in vs 7.3 in.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Victorville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,663 in Victorville vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 12.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Victorville, CA.