Lancaster CA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 75,721 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.0 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 35.5% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 21.4% | 2.2% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 6.8% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $765,686 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 45.2% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.1% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 40.1 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
Lancaster, CA vs New York, NYLancaster, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lancaster, CAHouston, TX vs Lancaster, CALancaster, CA vs Phoenix, AZLancaster, CA vs Philadelphia, PA