Lancaster CA vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 99,507 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 5.8% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 21.4% | 4.3% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.4% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 42.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $64,146 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 33.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 22.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 19.7% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.7% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 68.5°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 35.7 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Marcos, 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 Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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