Palmdale and Lancaster are separate cities in northern Los Angeles County, about 10 miles apart by road. Lancaster had more residents in the 2020 Census (173,516 to 169,450), while Palmdale covers more land (106 square miles to 94). Palmdale is closer to Los Angeles: 61 road miles to Los Angeles City Hall versus 70, and 9 minutes less by Metrolink.
Figures on this page come from the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.com, Metrolink and the utility providers named below, and were checked on October 3, 2026.
Palmdale vs Lancaster at a glance
| Palmdale | Lancaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Population, 2020 Census | 169,450 | 173,516 |
| Population estimate, July 1, 2025 | 161,845 | 170,084 |
| Land area | 106.06 sq mi | 94.27 sq mi |
| Median value of owner-occupied homes (Census, 2020–2024) | $471,000 | $446,600 |
| Median gross rent (Census, 2020–2024) | $1,802 | $1,764 |
| Mean travel time to work (Census, 2020–2024) | 39.9 minutes | 30.8 minutes |
| Metrolink to L.A. Union Station | 2 h 00 min | 2 h 09 min |
| Road miles to Los Angeles City Hall | 61 | 70 |
| Miles to Edwards AFB headquarters (Air Force list) | 39 | 29 |
| Electricity | SCE delivery; EPIC generation | SCE delivery; Lancaster Energy generation |
| Sewer | LA County Sanitation District No. 20 (most of the city) | LA County Sanitation District No. 14 (most of the city) |
Which is bigger, Palmdale or Lancaster?
By population, Lancaster: 173,516 residents in the 2020 Census versus 169,450 in Palmdale, and 170,084 versus 161,845 in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimates. By land area, Palmdale: 106.06 square miles versus 94.27.
Are Palmdale and Lancaster the same city?
No. They are two separate cities, each with its own city government, in the Antelope Valley of northern Los Angeles County. Lancaster City Hall is about 10 miles north of Palmdale City Hall by road.
How close is Palmdale to Lancaster?
About 10 miles by road between the two city halls. Every Antelope Valley Line train stops at both Metrolink stations, 9 to 12 minutes apart, and AVTA Route 1 (Lancaster/Palmdale) connects the cities by bus.
Home prices in Palmdale and Lancaster by ZIP code
In September 2026, the median listing price ranged from about $423,000 in ZIP code 93534 (Lancaster) to about $639,000 in 93551 (Palmdale), according to Realtor.com. Larger median home sizes go with the higher prices: 93551 and 93536 have the largest typical listings.
| ZIP code | Mailing city | Median listing price | Price per sq ft | Median size (sq ft) | Active listings | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93550 | Palmdale | $461,000 | $307 | 1,466 | 153 | 63 |
| 93551 | Palmdale | $639,000 | $263 | 2,530 | 205 | 58 |
| 93552 | Palmdale | $506,000 | $276 | 1,823 | 83 | 59 |
| 93534 | Lancaster | $423,000 | $275 | 1,447 | 112 | 60 |
| 93535 | Lancaster | $448,000 | $266 | 1,589 | 201 | 55 |
| 93536 | Lancaster | $550,000 | $261 | 2,146 | 261 | 51 |
Listing prices are asking prices, not sale prices, and ZIP code areas do not follow city limits exactly. For a longer view, the Census median value of owner-occupied homes for 2020–2024 was $471,000 in Palmdale and $446,600 in Lancaster.
Commute: Palmdale vs Lancaster
Palmdale is closer to Los Angeles by road and by train. Both cities have a Metrolink station on the Antelope Valley Line, with 8 trains each way on weekdays; Lancaster trains stop at Palmdale 9 minutes later. Census data for 2020–2024 show a mean travel time to work of 39.9 minutes for Palmdale workers and 30.8 minutes for Lancaster workers.
| To | From Palmdale | From Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles City Hall | 61 | 70 |
| LAX | 66 | 75 |
| Hollywood Burbank Airport | 48 | 57 |
| Santa Clarita City Hall | 35 | 44 |
Related guides
Property taxes in Palmdale and Lancaster
Both cities are in Los Angeles County, so the same rules apply. The base levy is 1% of assessed value under Proposition 13, plus voter-approved debt that varies by tax rate area. Buying a home triggers a reassessment and a supplemental tax bill; after that, the assessed value can rise by no more than 2% a year.
Some homes are also in a Mello-Roos community facilities district (CFD), which adds a special tax to the bill. California requires the seller to give the buyer a Notice of Special Tax for those homes (Civil Code §1102.6b). Look up any property's current bill with the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector.
Utilities: electricity and sewer
Southern California Edison (SCE) delivers electricity, maintains the lines and bills customers in both cities. Each city also has a community choice program that buys the power: Energy for Palmdale's Independent Choice (EPIC), launched October 1, 2022, and Lancaster Energy. As with every community choice program in California, customers are enrolled automatically and may opt out to SCE generation.
Sewer service comes from the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts: District No. 20 serves most of Palmdale, and District No. 14 serves most of Lancaster plus parts of Palmdale.
Which is better, Palmdale or Lancaster?
It depends on what you compare. Palmdale is closer to Los Angeles (61 road miles versus 70, and 9 minutes less by train) and covers more land. Lancaster has more residents, a lower Census median home value ($446,600 versus $471,000) and a shorter mean commute for its workers (30.8 versus 39.9 minutes). For a specific home, compare its ZIP code prices, its property tax bill and its commute.
Sources
Checked October 3, 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lancaster and Palmdale
- Realtor.com research data (housing inventory by ZIP code, September 2026)
- Metrolink timetable, effective May 4, 2026 (PDF)
- California Community Choice Association: CCA programs
- SCE: SCE and EPIC joint rate comparisons
- Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts: district documents
- Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector
Last verified: October 3, 2026. Road miles are OpenStreetMap (OSRM) routes between city halls and airport terminals, measured the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is Palmdale to Lancaster?+
About 10 miles by road between Palmdale City Hall and Lancaster City Hall. Metrolink trains connect the two stations in 9 to 12 minutes, and AVTA Route 1 (Lancaster/Palmdale) runs between the cities by bus.
Are Palmdale and Lancaster the same city?+
No. They are two separate cities, each with its own city government, in the Antelope Valley of northern Los Angeles County. Lancaster is about 10 miles north of Palmdale.
Which is bigger, Palmdale or Lancaster?+
Lancaster has more people: 173,516 in the 2020 Census versus 169,450 in Palmdale (2025 estimates: 170,084 and 161,845). Palmdale has more land: 106.06 square miles versus 94.27.
Is Lancaster a city in California?+
Yes. Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the Antelope Valley, with 173,516 residents in the 2020 Census.
Which is closer to Los Angeles, Palmdale or Lancaster?+
Palmdale. Palmdale City Hall is about 61 road miles from Los Angeles City Hall, Lancaster's about 70. By Metrolink, Palmdale to L.A. Union Station takes 2 hours and Lancaster 2 hours 9 minutes.
Are homes cheaper in Lancaster or Palmdale?+
In September 2026, median listing prices in Lancaster's three main ZIP codes ran from about $423,000 to $550,000, and in Palmdale's from about $461,000 to $639,000 (Realtor.com). The Census median value of owner-occupied homes for 2020–2024 was $446,600 in Lancaster and $471,000 in Palmdale.
Do Palmdale and Lancaster have the same property tax rate?+
Both start with the 1% Proposition 13 levy plus voter-approved debt that varies by tax rate area, so two homes in the same city can have different rates. Check a specific property's bill with the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector.
Questions? We're Here.
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