Fishers IN 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)
Fishers, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$446,903
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
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
Fishers
266,235
Fishers +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fishers
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Fishers
35.0
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Fishers
9.0%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Fishers
66.4%
Fishers +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Fishers
14.6%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Fishers
5.8%
Fishers +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Fishers
10.5%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Fishers
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 170,013 | Fishers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 66.4% | 35.5% | Fishers + |
| Black | 14.6% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.0% | Fishers + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fishers
$60,293
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Fishers
$32,884
Fishers +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fishers
$58,697
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Fishers
5.5%
Fishers +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Fishers
15.6%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fishers
28.5%
Fishers +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $29,766 | Fishers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.1% | Fishers + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 20.1% | Fishers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fishers
$446,903
Fishers +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Fishers
62.2%
Fishers +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $446,903 | $466,147 | Fishers + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 58.4% | Fishers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fishers
370
Fishers +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fishers
1719
Fishers +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Fishers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Fishers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fishers
32.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fishers
8.9%
Fishers +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fishers
13.8%
Fishers +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fishers
4.8%
Fishers +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fishers
17.3%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fishers
9.2%
Fishers +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.6% | Fishers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 19.3% | Fishers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.8% | 12.9% | Fishers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.0% | Fishers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fishers
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fishers
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fishers
10.1 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fishers
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fishers
22.8 min
Fishers +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 33.0 min | Fishers + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while fishers offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $446,903. On public safety, Fishers is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Fishers has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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