Lancaster CA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.3 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 7.4% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 25.0% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 21.4% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.7% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 10.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $51,211 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.3% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 22.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 46.0% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 42.1% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 17.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 20.7% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.9% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 54.9 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, 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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