Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 170,013 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 13.9% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 35.5% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 21.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $29,766 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 20.1% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $466,147 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.3% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 62.1°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 33.0 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, 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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