Lancaster CA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 8.3% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 21.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.2% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 20.0% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $46,628 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.9% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 26.6% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 37.2% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 38.0% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.3% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.6% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 34.3 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, 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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