Lancaster CA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.3 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 10.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 21.4% | 11.8% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 15.6% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $72,708 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 57.7% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 37.5% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.0% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.2% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| 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
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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