Lancaster CA vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 61,773 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 35.5% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 21.4% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 19.8% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $70,086 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 47.2% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Macon, GA | 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
Lancaster +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 64.6°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 45.7 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Macon
30.2 min
Macon +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 30.2 min | Macon + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lancaster, CA vs New York, NYLancaster, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lancaster, CAHouston, TX vs Lancaster, CALancaster, CA vs Phoenix, AZLancaster, CA vs Philadelphia, PA