Lancaster CA vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 153,455 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.1 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 35.5% | 30.4% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.5% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 16.7% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $2,144,024 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 43.8% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Sunnyvale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Sunnyvale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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