Lancaster CA vs St. Petersburg FL — 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%
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 43.1 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 10.1% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 21.4% | 19.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.1% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 9.3% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $73,118 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 32.7% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.6% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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