Lancaster CA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 161,993 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 35.5% | 21.8% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $28,813 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $751,711 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 47.0% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 32.8% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 22.4% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 15.5 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salinas, 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
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas 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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