Lancaster CA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.6 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 10.7% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 21.4% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.3% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 17.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $57,673 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 17.9% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 54.6% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 31.9% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.5% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 63.8°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 58.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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