Lancaster CA vs Richmond VA — 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 8.6% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 21.4% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.1% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 10.3% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $62,671 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.8% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 43.5% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.7% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 43.6 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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