Lancaster CA vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.7 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 3.4% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 21.4% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.4% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 8.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Toledo
21.0%
Toledo +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $47,532 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $27,407 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,300 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.5% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 21.0% | Toledo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 52.7% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 39.3% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.7% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 20.6% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.9% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Toledo
33.4 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 33.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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