Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 170,013 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.2 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 13.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 35.5% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 4.0% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 45.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $29,766 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 20.1% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $466,147 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.3% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.8% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.0% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.0 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. 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%.
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