Lancaster CA vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 42.1 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.3% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 21.4% | 3.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 19.7% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $488,428 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Peoria
31.2 min
Peoria +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 31.2 min | Peoria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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