Rents are 14% below what Palmdale's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,745 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Palmdale, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Palmdale, CA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Palmdale, CA paid around $2,047 a month. That figure now sits near $2,745, up 34.1% from the 2021 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $70,858 in 2021 to $81,770 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Palmdale, CA losing about 3,353 residents over the five-year window, down 2.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 35.3% to 33.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Palmdale, CA market of 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Palmdale on your salary?
At $2,745/mo, how Palmdale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Palmdale rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Palmdale. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Palmdale
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Palmdale is $2,745/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,845/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,620/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,075/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,345/mo.
At 40% of local median household income ($81,770/yr), Palmdale ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palmdale an affordable city for renters?
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Which Palmdale neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
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What percentage of Palmdale residents rent vs. own?
How does Palmdale rent compare to the national average?
At $2,745/mo, rent takes ~40% of Palmdale's median household income ($81,770/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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