Community on the edge of the western Mojave Desert
Set in the heart of the Antelope Valley, Palmdale is a High Desert community of about 160,000 residents. The city is an aerospace hub with nearby employers like Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman. “We’re home to countless advancements, from NASA’s X-59 revolutionizing air travel to Northrop’s B-21 ‘Raider’ bomber taking its inaugural flight this year — we’re redefining military aviation here,” says Mayor Austin Bishop, who has spent most of his life in the city. As employers seek to grow their worker base, Palmdale is becoming an appealing place to live for its job opportunities and low-congestion infrastructure. In a state known for steep housing prices, Palmdale buyers will find affordable homes compared to the prices in Los Angeles and broader California, which are double to triple the cost. The city fosters a sense of community through things like family-friendly annual gatherings and a commitment to public art. “We’re a big city with a small-town feel,” says Luis Garibay, the city’s economic development director. “You can walk into a restaurant, and the owner will know you by name, or you’ll run into your neighbors at a community event.”
Joshua Trees are a unique and distinct feature of the Antelope Valley and East Palmdale.
Aircraft from the Dryden Flight Research Center sits in front of the Lockheed Martin campus near Lancaster.
Lake Elizabeth Rd extends toward the mountains in the West Palmdale neighborhood.
Little girls play with blocks while waiting for the movie to start at Family Movie Nights.
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Affordable homes compared to the state and Los Angeles medians
One of the biggest draws to Palmdale is the comparatively reasonable housing prices to broader state and Los Angeles averages. In January 2025, the median home price was around $500,000, compared to $400,000 nationally and $900,000 in broader California — LA was around $1 million. Though a home is always a good investment, year-over-year prices were down almost 6%. “Here, you can actually afford a decently sized house with a nice-sized yard. People in more urban areas like LA don’t get that experience,” Garibay says. The city is not built out, meaning that housing development is active. “Palmdale has a commitment to providing quality housing. We have more than 5,000 new units in the pipeline,” Bishop says. That's in addition to plans for more medium-density development. Lot sizes run bigger in East Palmdale, where there are traditional ranch-style houses, Spanish-inspired homes, and some condos and townhomes. Modern traditional and more Spanish-inspired homes with stucco siding and red tile roofs can be found in West Palmdale. Set on a golf club established in 1953, Antelope Valley Country Club Estates is a private community of contemporary homes.
There are a mixture of single and two-story homes throughout East Palmdale.
A colorful arts and crafts style home with a mixture of brick and wood siding in West Palmdale.
Contemporary homes with Spanish-style influences can be found in the Palmdale.
Spanish-style homes can be found throughout Palmdale.
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Soar High is one of the best high schools in the state
Palmdale is served by several school districts split into elementary districts and a high school district. The Palmdale Elementary School District is graded C by Niche, Westside Union Elementary School District is graded B-minus, Keppel Union Elementary School District is graded C-minus and the Antelope Valley Union High School District is graded B. Antelope Valley Union High School District is a competitive district with some top schools, like Soar High (Students on Academic Rise), ranked the 14th-best public California high school and No. 5 in Niche Standout High Schools in California.
SOAR High School is 1 of 13 high schools in the Antelope Valley Union High.
Palmdale High School is an option for students in the Southeast Antelope Valley.
David G. Millen School is located at 39221 22Nd St. W., Palmdale, CA 93551.
The student population of Barrel Springs Elementary is 672 and the school serves K-5.
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Palmdale International Shopping Mall is a retail center
Palmdale’s International Shopping Mall is one of the city’s retail centers. Most stores are local businesses and sell a variety of wares, from jewelry and clothing stores to botanicas and appliance shops. Most of Palmdale’s local shops are clustered around the mall on Palmdale Boulevard, but there are big-box stores and chain dining on 47th Street at the 47th Street Pavilion. Though the retail scene isn’t expansive, there is enough to provide residents with access to essentials and specialty shopping. The city’s dining scene is diverse, with both casual and upscale eateries representing many different cuisines, from New American to Thai and so much in between. For groceries with a local touch, the city started a farmers market in 2024 that offers fresh produce and artisanal goods from over 20 community vendors.
People going in and out of the Antelope Valley Mall in West Palmdale.
A man shops for jewelry at the Palmdale International Shopping Mall in East Palmdale.
The 47th Street Pavilion is a one-stop-shop center for clothing, home goods, dining, and groceries in Palmdale.
The Vallarta market was started in 1985 by the Gonzalez family and now serves many neighborhoods including Palmdale.
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Improvements and expansions at many local Palmdale parks
The city has 22 parks and trails covering 360 acres, with amenities from sports facilities and playground equipment to hiking trails and picnicking spaces. The city’s desert location makes for an exciting hiking space that lets visitors get close to Southern California’s desert landscape. “We’re in the High Desert, so that’s nice to have,” says Garibay. One of the city’s most appreciated natural amenities is Lake Palmdale. It’s not a very big lake, but it is a popular area for hiking and fishing. The city is also planning to expand. “We are making some major investments here, including a $19 million expansion of Sam Yellen Park and revitalizing William J. McAdam Park,” Bishop says. Desert Sands Park has unveiled a brand-new playground and fitness zone to spark active fun. Courson Park is in the midst of a total transformation, from lush landscaping and upgraded irrigation to new restrooms, smooth walking paths, illuminated pathways and tot lot improvements. “Palmdale’s parks are not just evolving; they’re ensuring everyone is welcome to enjoy the ultimate recreational experience,” Bishop says.
A young lady prepares for her quinceaera at Poncitlan Park in East Palmdale.
Kids can have fun on the tire swing at Marie Kerr Park in the Palmdale neighborhood.
Barrel Springs Trail is a popular spot for hikers looking to take in Palmdale's beauty.
There's plenty of space for dogs to get exercise at Desert Sands Park.
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Kaleidoscope Fall Frenzy is an annual event highlight
The city promotes neighborly camaraderie through a calendar of social events and attractions that bring people out. DryTown Water Park sees thousands of guests seeking to cool off during the hot summers. The park hosts Family Glow Nights, which allows guests to swim from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekends with light-up water tubes to provide a sense of ambiance. “It’s such a great place to cool off and enjoy time with family and friends. Family Glow Nights sold out in 2024,” Bishop says. The Palmdale Amphitheater now draws more than 50,000 attendees each summer since opening in 2005 with shows from Flo Rida, Queen Nation and the LA Sound Machine, to name just a few. The venue also hosts family movie nights. A calendar highlight is the Kaleidoscope Fall Frenzy, a two-day celebration of art, music and entertainment that attracts over 15,000 visitors annually. “The event includes a spectacular drone show, hot air balloons, family activities, beer and wine tasting and a pumpkin patch. Everyone comes out,” Bishop says.
The AV Taco Festival packs Poncitlán Square in East Palmdale.
The amphitheater starts to fill up for the Family Movie Night event.
The Palmdale Farmer's Market has more than just food for its attendees.
There's plenty for kids to do at the Family Movie Nights event.
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No direct highway access but expanded rail service is in the works
Palmdale lacks direct highway access — Interstate 5 is about 35 miles away via state Route 14. For regional orientation, Bakersfield is about 95 miles north, and downtown Los Angeles is about 60 miles south. Though some residents make the commute to LA, more work locally. Antelope Valley Transit Authority operates bus routes along many major thoroughfares, but a much bigger public transportation project is making waves locally. “We are set to become the epicenter of California’s transportation renaissance with the Brightline West Project, a mind-blowing 218-mile high-speed rail that will zip you from Las Vegas to the Southern California coast,” Bishop says. “It will be a lightning-fast 13-minute trip to Burbank or 20 minutes to the San Fernando Valley.” Bishop also points to a $40 million upgrade at the Palmdale Boulevard-Route 14 interchange, adding additional lanes to aid traffic circulation. There are several small, local airfields in the area, like the Palmdale Regional Airport, but the closest major airports are Hollywood Burbank and Van Nuys, both about 50 miles away. The private Palmdale Regional Medical Center is the city’s primary hospital.
Lower crime than average and several environmental risks
According to FBI data, crime rates in Palmdale are lower than state and national numbers. Though there was an uptick in property crime through much of 2023, the rate still fell below California and U.S. figures. “We’re boosting surveillance with things like a 50% increase in Flock License Plate Reader cameras to ensure our public safety efforts are proactive and efficient,” Bishop says. Though the LA County Sheriff polices the city, the city’s community service officers pitch in by taking local reports, freeing up the sheriff’s deputies to respond primarily to emergency calls.
Due to its location in a valley on the edge of the Mojave Desert, Palmdale experiences a warm, arid climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. The majority of the annual rainfall tends to come in the colder months. The city faces many environmental risks, including drought conditions, extreme heat, wildfires and poor air quality during the warmer months.
On average, homes in Palmdale, CA sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Palmdale, CA over the last 12 months is $500,000, up 4% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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