Lancaster CA vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 105,460 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.6 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 5.1% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.7% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 7.5% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $70,722 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 24.8% | Spokane Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 57.5% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 35.1% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.2% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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