Lancaster CA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Madison
11.6%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.6% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 21.4% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 9.3% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.2% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 46.6% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 32.7% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 37.3 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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