Concord 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
106,518
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Concord
54.7%
Concord +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 54.7% | 35.5% | Concord + |
| Black | 22.1% | 21.4% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 4.0% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $76,083 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $29,766 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.1% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 15.5% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 20.1% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $466,147 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 58.4% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Concord +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Concord, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
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
10.5%
Concord +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.3% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.8% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.0% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Concord +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 62.1°F | Concord + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, 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
Concord
29.7 min
Concord +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Concord, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 33.0 min | Concord + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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