Lancaster CA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Westland
9.2%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 84,155 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 9.2% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 21.4% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.8% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 5.0% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Westland
21.7%
Westland +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $62,216 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 21.7% | Westland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 34.7% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 20.0% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.6% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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