Lancaster CA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.3 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 12.2% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 21.4% | 10.5% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 13.1% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $496,966 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 56.5% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 37.3% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 39.2 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma 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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