Edinburg TX 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)
Edinburg, TX
Texas · Population: 102,561
- Median HH Income$57,789
- Median Home Price$217,077
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Edinburg
102,561
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edinburg
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Edinburg
29.9
Edinburg +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Edinburg
19.5%
Edinburg +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Edinburg
39.9%
Edinburg +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Edinburg
1.9%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Edinburg
2.5%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Edinburg
85.8%
Edinburg +
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Edinburg
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,561 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 34.2 | Edinburg + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 13.9% | Edinburg + |
| White | 39.9% | 35.5% | Edinburg + |
| Black | 1.9% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 85.8% | 45.9% | Edinburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Edinburg
$57,789
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Edinburg
$27,278
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edinburg
$63,758
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Edinburg
6.6%
Edinburg +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Edinburg
25.7%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Edinburg
28.9%
Edinburg +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,789 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,278 | $29,766 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 7.1% | Edinburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.7% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 20.1% | Edinburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Edinburg
$217,077
Edinburg +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Edinburg
52.5%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $217,077 | $466,147 | Edinburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
442
Edinburg +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
2339
Edinburg +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Edinburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Edinburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
42.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
14.4%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edinburg
17.9%
Edinburg +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
32.3%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
18.2%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
11.7%
Edinburg +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.3% | Edinburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.0% | Edinburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
74.0°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
24.1 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.0°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.1 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Edinburg
9.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edinburg
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Edinburg
22.3 min
Edinburg +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.0 min | Edinburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while edinburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $217,077. On public safety, Edinburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Edinburg has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, 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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