Concord CA 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)

Concord, CA

California · Population: 124,260

  • Median HH Income$109,195
  • Median Home Price$739,280
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+37.8%

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
Concord
124,260
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Concord
38.6
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Concord
25.6%
Concord +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Concord
48.1%
Concord +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Concord
3.9%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Concord
13.5%
Concord +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Concord
32.3%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Lancaster
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Concord
$109,195
Concord +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Concord
$49,514
Concord +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.9%
Concord +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.9%
Concord +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
37.8%
Concord +
Lancaster
20.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$739,280
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
61.4%
Concord +
Lancaster
58.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
29.1%
Concord +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.8%
Concord +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
9.3%
Concord +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
16.2%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.4%
Concord +
Lancaster
14.0%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
61.7°F
Concord +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
18.1 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
34.9 min
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +

Which City is Right for You?

Concord leads in median household income at $109,195, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

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About Concord & Lancaster