Lancaster CA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.8 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 35.5% | 16.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 21.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.9% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 37.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $48,416 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $25,509 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 10.9% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.7% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 17.4% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $482,675 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 24.1% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 35.9% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 20.0% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 23.4% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.2% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 46.3 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. 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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