Lancaster CA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 9.3% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 21.4% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 4.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $64,137 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 47.2% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 39.3 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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