Lancaster CA vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 118,578 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 5.7% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 21.4% | 14.9% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.3% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 8.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $63,900 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.3% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 46.8% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 42.7% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.4% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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