Escondido 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 13.9% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 0.6% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 4.0% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 45.9% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Escondido +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $29,766 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 7.1% | Escondido + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 20.1% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 30.6% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.6% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.3% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.0% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Escondido +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 33.0 min | Escondido + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 Escondido. Escondido has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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