Lancaster CA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 35.5% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 21.4% | 2.7% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 20.8% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $74,925 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $580,126 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 46.8% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.0% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 16.1 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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