Laurel, MD vs Palm Desert, CA

Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.

Score Snapshot

No universal winner

Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.

Laurel

66.4

#1547 nationally

vs

Palm Desert

66

#1595 nationally

Laurel leads in walk score (53 vs 28). Palm Desert leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 33.5 min). Laurel leads in median household income ($92,035 vs $75,691).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Laurel, MD Palm Desert, CA
WhereAtHome Score 66.4 (#1547) 66 (#1595)
Population 29,400 51,951
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $478,130 $544,379
Median Household Income $92,035 $75,691
Average Commute 33.5 min 22.4 min
Walk Score 53 28
Crime Level 10.8 8.9
School Rating N/A N/A
Cost of Living Index 125 136
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+13.9 R+1.3
Laurel, MD
D
66.4 Score

Laurel, MD

Small Maryland city with local appeal

Median Home

$478,130

Population

29,400

Crime

Moderate-High

Walk Score

53

Northeast View Laurel, MD →
Palm Desert, CA
D
66 Score

Palm Desert, CA

California community balancing growth and livability

Median Home

$544,379

Population

51,951

Crime

Moderate

Walk Score

28

Pacific View Palm Desert, CA →

Try a different matchup

Swap Laurel for:

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Swap Palm Desert for:

Indio, CA vs Laurel Cathedral City, CA vs Laurel Desert Hot Springs, CA vs Laurel Coachella, CA vs Laurel Palm Springs, CA vs Laurel

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