Lancaster CA vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 79,526 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 40.7 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 13.6% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 21.4% | 5.0% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 4.7% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $514,358 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.5% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plymouth, MN | 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 +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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