Lancaster CA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Salem
12.2%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.7 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 12.2% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.6% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.5% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 23.4% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $71,900 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 55.7% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 41.4% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 39.7 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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