Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 170,013 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 13.9% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 35.5% | Anaheim + |
| Black | 2.5% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 4.0% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 45.9% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $76,083 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $29,766 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.1% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 15.5% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 20.1% | Anaheim + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 30.6% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Anaheim + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.3% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.8% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.0% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Anaheim +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 33.0 min | Anaheim + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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