Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 170,013 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.9% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 35.5% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 21.4% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.0% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $76,083 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $29,766 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.5% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 20.1% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $466,147 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.6% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.3% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.8% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.0% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 62.1°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 33.0 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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