Lancaster CA vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 44,998 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 57.8 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 35.5% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 21.4% | 5.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 24.3% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Palmdale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $71,979 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.2% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $503,393 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Palmdale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Palmdale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Palmdale
15.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.7% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 63.5°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 7.4 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
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, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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