Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.2 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 59.2% | 35.5% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 21.4% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.0% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $29,766 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.1% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 20.1% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $466,147 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.6% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.0% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 33.0 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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