Hilo HI 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)
Hilo, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$552,686
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 170,013 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 35.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 45.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hilo
$63,296
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,083 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,766 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,296 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 20.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hilo
$552,686
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,686 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hilo
276
Hilo +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hilo
2592
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 276 | 503 | Hilo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2592 | 2388 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hilo
25.2%
Hilo +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hilo
12.8%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hilo
15.2%
Hilo +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hilo
6.4%
Hilo +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hilo
16.7%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hilo
13.3%
Hilo +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.2% | 30.6% | Hilo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 19.3% | Hilo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.9% | Hilo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Hilo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hilo
73.9°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hilo
126.7 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.9°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 126.7 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hilo
3.3 µg/m³
Hilo +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hilo
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hilo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hilo
N/A
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Hilo is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Hilo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hilo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.2%.
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