Lancaster CA vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 98,677 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.0 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 7.5% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 21.4% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.1% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 8.6% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $52,671 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.7% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 51.7% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 41.9% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.9% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 44.5 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Roanoke, 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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%.
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