Lancaster CA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.3 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 35.5% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 21.4% | 9.0% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 16.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $507,575 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 56.6% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 31.2% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plano, TX | 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
Lancaster +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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