Lancaster CA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Portland
11.1%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 68,505 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.1% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 21.4% | 9.0% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.2% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 3.1% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,587 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $561,069 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 46.7% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.3% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 47.3 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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