Lancaster CA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 13.6% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 21.4% | 3.1% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 17.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $510,577 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 49.9% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.2% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 41.6 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver 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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