Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 170,013 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 27.4% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 60.0% | 21.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $29,766 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 7.1% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 20.1% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $466,147 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2388 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.3% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.9% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 62.1°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 33.0 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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