How much does it cost to rent in Palmdale, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Palmdale, CA is $2,720. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Palmdale cheaper than other California cities?

Palmdale falls in the middle range for California, ranking #210 out of 387 cities at $2,720/mo.

When was Palmdale rent data last updated?

Palmdale rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Palmdale a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Palmdale is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 3.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · CA

Palmdale

Name: Average Rent Prices in Palmdale, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 164,634·210th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$2,720/mo

Year-over-Year

-3.1%

Month-over-Month

-0.8%

vs US Median

+$755

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Palmdale rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Palmdale · $2,720

More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

79/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 15% below what Palmdale's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,720/mo

Expected by trend

$3,182/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Palmdale's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,845

1 BR

$2,075

2 BR

$2,620

3 BR

$3,345

4 BR+

$3,700

Research median

$2,620/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$32,640/yr

At $2,720/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 3.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-3.1% YoY, -0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

164,634

Median income

$81,770

Median age

Renters

33.8%

Age distribution

29.5%

23%

24.4%

Under 1829.5%

18–3423%

35–5424.4%

55–6411.9%

65+11.1%

Gender

49.4%

50.6%

Male49.4%

Female50.6%

Race & ethnicity

23.4%

13.1%

63.5%

White23.4%

Black13.1%

Hispanic63.5%

Asian4.8%

Education (25+)

22.8%

30.3%

29.8%

17.1%

No HS diploma22.8%

HS diploma30.3%

Some college29.8%

Bachelor's+17.1%

Housing tenure

66.2%

33.8%

Owner66.2%

Renter33.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Palmdale, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,047 → $2,720

up 32.9%

Income

$70,858 → $81,770

up 15.4%

Population

167,987 → 164,634

down 2.0%

Renter share

35.3% → 33.8%

-1.5 pts

Bachelor's+

16.1% → 17.1%

+1.0 pts

Five years ago, renters in Palmdale, CA paid around $2,047 a month. That figure now sits near $2,720, up 32.9% 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.

Community

Discussions about Palmdale

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View Palmdale rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Palmdale on your salary?

At $2,720/mo, how Palmdale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 29.3% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 41.2% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 35.8% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 20% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 15.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 44% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 48.8% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 39.6% income

stretched

By apartment size

Palmdale rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Palmdale. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Palmdale

About renting in Palmdale, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Palmdale is $2,720/mo as of July 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 3.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Palmdale an affordable city for renters?

Palmdale is considered moderate for renters. At $2,720/mo, rent takes approximately 40% of the local median household income ($81,770/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Palmdale slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Palmdale?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $109,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,720/mo in Palmdale. The local median household income is $81,770/yr, meaning the typical Palmdale household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Palmdale?

Rent in Palmdale has decreased 3.1% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Palmdale neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Palmdale are 93550 ($2,314/mo), and 93551 ($3,069/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Palmdale is $2,720/mo.

How does Palmdale rent compare to other cities in California?

Palmdale is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #210 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,720/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Palmdale?

Lancaster is nearby and more affordable at $2,403/mo, which is $317 less than Palmdale.

What percentage of Palmdale residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.8% of Palmdale households are renters, while 66.2% are owner-occupied. Palmdale leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Palmdale rent compare to the national average?

Palmdale's median rent of $2,720/mo is $755 (38%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #210 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

40%

MODERATE

At $2,720/mo, rent takes ~40% of Palmdale's median household income ($81,770/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Palmdale 40%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Palmdale affordability calculator →

Nearby cities