Inglewood 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)

Inglewood, CA

California · Population: 90,669

  • Median HH Income$78,709
  • Median Home Price$761,870
  • Unemployment4.6%
  • Bachelor's+21.1%

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
Inglewood
90,669
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Inglewood
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Inglewood
38.2
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Inglewood
25.3%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Inglewood
36.5%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Inglewood
3.4%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Inglewood
2.7%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Inglewood
68.9%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Inglewood
N/A
Lancaster
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Inglewood
$78,709
Inglewood +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Inglewood
$35,231
Inglewood +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Inglewood
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Inglewood
4.6%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Inglewood
11.6%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Inglewood
21.1%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
20.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Inglewood
$761,870
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Inglewood
68.3%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
58.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
32.6%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.5%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Inglewood
18.2%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.4%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.2%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
12.7%
Inglewood +
Lancaster
14.0%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Inglewood
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Inglewood
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Inglewood
24.0 min
Inglewood +
Lancaster
33.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

Inglewood leads in median household income at $78,709, 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 Inglewood. Inglewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Inglewood & Lancaster