Lancaster CA vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 115,396 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.6 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 35.5% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 21.4% | 17.3% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Richmond
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $608,357 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 52.5% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Richmond
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Richmond
2388
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 32.9% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Richmond
24.9 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 24.9 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 37.7 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond 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%.
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