Lancaster CA vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.7 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 9.8% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 21.4% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.6% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 8.6% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $64,731 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.1% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 43.3 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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