Lancaster CA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 146,211 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 12.1% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 21.4% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 10.3% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $45,845 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $27,570 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.4% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 29.6% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 41.3% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 41.5% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.7% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 20.8% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 41.5 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, 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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