Lancaster CA vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 11,627 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.7 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 35.5% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 21.4% | 15.3% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.5% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 34.0% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $472,888 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 34.3% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 17.3% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 22.4% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.4% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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