Lancaster CA vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 102,558 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 7.2% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 21.4% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.7% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 22.4% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $58,568 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 17.4% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 57.0% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 35.4% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 63.4°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 28.9 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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