Lancaster CA vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.7 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 10.0% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 21.4% | 9.7% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 18.4% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $63,072 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.9% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Wichita
12.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Wichita
12.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 39.5% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 32.6 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lancaster, CA vs New York, NYLancaster, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lancaster, CAHouston, TX vs Lancaster, CALancaster, CA vs Phoenix, AZLancaster, CA vs Philadelphia, PA