Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 170,013 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 11.7% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 76.8% | 21.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $29,766 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 20.1% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $466,147 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.9% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 62.1°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 33.0 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA