Lancaster CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.1 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 35.5% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 21.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 15.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $60,698 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.4% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 22.0% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 52.3% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 48.5 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 34.5 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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