Lancaster CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Waco
9.8%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 141,925 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 9.8% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 21.4% | 20.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 29.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $51,468 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $28,819 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.0% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 48.9% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.8% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 20.4% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 20.4% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 66.6°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 36.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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