Lancaster CA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 35.5% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 21.4% | 18.3% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 10.5% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.4% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 48.0% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 30.6 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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