Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 170,013 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.2 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 13.9% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 35.5% | Irvine + |
| Black | 2.0% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 4.0% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $76,083 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $29,766 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.1% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.5% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 20.1% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 30.6% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.6% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.3% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 12.9% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.8% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 14.0% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 33.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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