Lancaster CA vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
North Las Vegas
43.6%
North Las Vegas +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
34.6%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 186,178 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.0 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 35.5% | 43.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Black | 21.4% | 11.3% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 34.6% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
North Las Vegas
$35,069
North Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
North Las Vegas
23.9%
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $58,874 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $35,069 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 9.4% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.8% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 23.9% | North Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $407,146 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 41.2% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
North Las Vegas
12.2%
North Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 33.8% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | North Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 20.7% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 19.6% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 68.8°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 24.6 min | North Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, North Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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