Lancaster CA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Orem
10.5%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 86,973 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 10.5% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.9% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.6% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $70,053 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $509,396 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 13.3 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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