Lancaster, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Lancaster.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Lancaster?
Lancaster, CA has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 130 (above the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $409,100 and median rent about $1,696, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $76,083. Typical commute is 35 minutes; summer highs average 96°F. Violent-offense rates run about 852.9 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 130U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $409,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,696U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $76,083U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 35 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 852.9per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 96°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Lancaster compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 167,426City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $76,083Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 130ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year30% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $409,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year35% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,696City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 35 min40% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3522% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 852.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)45% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2100annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)32% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 96°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 32°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 6.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals79% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 337As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals26% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Lancaster grew 6.8% from 156,824 in 2010 to 167,426 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Lancaster expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Lancaster runs 30 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 130 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $409,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,696 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Lancaster?
Budget first around $1,696/month rent or $409,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $409,100
- Median rent $1,696/month
- Median household income $76,083
What is the job market like in Lancaster?
Labor-market context for Lancaster: unemployment 5.2% and median income $76,083. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $76,083
How long is the typical commute in Lancaster?
Plan on roughly 35 minutes each way in Lancaster. Walk Score estimates around 35 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 35 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 35/100
Is Lancaster safer than similar U.S. cities?
Lancaster's FBI-derived violent rate (~852.9/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 852.9 per 100k
- Property 2100 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Lancaster?
Lancaster's climate profile: 96°F summer peaks, 32°F winter mornings, 6.8" annual rainfall, and 337 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 96°F
- Winter low 32°F
- 6.8 in rain · 337 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Lancaster, California will find roughly 167,426 residents within city limits. Median household income is roughly $76,083, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 130 — above the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Budget for median rents around $1,696 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Lancaster is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Lancaster with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 337 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Plan on roughly 35 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 35. Unemployment recently ran near 5.2%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~852.9 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Lancaster city, 1600000US0640130) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Los Angeles County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00003159 LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10