Lancaster CA vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
McKinney
37.8%
McKinney +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
McKinney
44.7%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 148,848 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 35.5% | 37.8% | McKinney + |
| Black | 21.4% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 44.7% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
McKinney
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
McKinney
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $71,843 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $29,291 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 18.5% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $487,346 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
McKinney
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 33.9% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.3% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 64.2°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 40.0 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 35.6 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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