Lancaster CA vs Las Vegas NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 35.5% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 21.4% | 11.9% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 34.1% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $70,723 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.2% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 55.7% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 32.4% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 19.5% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.0% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 67.4°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 27.7 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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