Lancaster CA vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 114,080 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 35.5% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 21.4% | 6.8% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.9% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Odessa
$73,030
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Odessa
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $73,030 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 18.3% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Odessa
14.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 39.4% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 25.4% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.1% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Odessa
13.5 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 65.6°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 13.5 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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