Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 170,013 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 13.9% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 35.5% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 4.0% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $76,083 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $29,766 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 15.5% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 20.1% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 30.6% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.6% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.3% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.9% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.8% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.0% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
30.2 min
Glendale +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 33.0 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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