Lancaster CA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.6 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 35.5% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 21.4% | 7.0% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.1% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $62,917 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 17.1% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 52.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 34.9% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.2% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 24.5% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.0% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 68.5°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 34.9 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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