Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 170,013 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 35.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 45.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,083 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,766 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 20.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Ann Arbor + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 30.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.3% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 12.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.0% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 62.1°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Ann Arbor is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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