Irving TX 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Irving
36.7%
Irving +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Irving
12.9%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 170,013 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.2 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 13.9% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 35.5% | Irving + |
| Black | 12.9% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 4.0% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $76,083 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $29,766 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.1% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 15.5% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 20.1% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $466,147 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Irving +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Irving +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Irving + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.3% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 33.0 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
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