Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 170,013 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.2 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 13.9% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 35.5% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 21.4% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 4.0% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $29,766 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.1% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 15.5% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 20.1% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $466,147 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.3% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 33.0 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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%.
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