Albany GA vs Lancaster CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Albany
18.9%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 18.9% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 76.3% | 21.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Albany +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $29,766 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 20.1% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $466,147 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA