Allen TX 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 13.9% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 35.5% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 4.0% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $76,083 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $29,766 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.1% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 15.5% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 20.1% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 58.4% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allen +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Allen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.6% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 19.3% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.9% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.0% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Allen +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 33.0 min | Allen + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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
Allen, TX vs New York, NYAllen, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAllen, TX vs Chicago, ILAllen, TX vs Houston, TXAllen, TX vs Phoenix, AZAllen, TX vs Philadelphia, PA