Lancaster CA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 125,273 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 41.3 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 35.5% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 21.4% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.1% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 19.7% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $67,521 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.5% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.2% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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