Living in Lancaster, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lancaster · Census data 2020–2024
Lancaster has 169,169 residents with a median age of 34.5. The median household income is $81,511 (18% lower than the California median), the median home value is $446,600, the median rent is $1,764/month.
Lancaster at a glance
- Population
- 169,169
- Median age
- 34.5State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $81,511State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $446,600State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,764/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 60.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Average commute
- 31 min
Is Lancaster a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 39% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the California median; an average commute of 31 minutes; unemployment of 7.5%; a poverty rate of 15.6%.
The weather is best in April–May and October–November.
Cost of living in Lancaster
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lancaster the median home value is $446,600, 34% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,764 per month, which is 36.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,245 a month in housing costs.
Lancaster median household income
The median household income in Lancaster is $81,511 and the income per person is $31,046. 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Lancaster: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 55,273
- Owner-occupied
- 60.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 39.6%
- Vacant
- 5.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1986
- Average household size
- 3.13
Lancaster demographics
- Population
- 169,169
- Median age
- 34.5
- Under 18
- 26.7%
- 65 and older
- 12.1%
- Households
- 52,374
- Foreign-born
- 15.4%
- Veterans
- 6.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lancaster ›
Education in Lancaster
20% of adults 25 and older in Lancaster have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 7.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lancaster
- Unemployment rate
- 7.5%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 31 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 9.8%
- Drive alone
- 72.1%
- Public transit
- 1.4%
- Walk to work
- 1.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.6%
Lancaster vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | $446,600 | $1,764 |
| Quartz Hill | 11,510 | $105,443 | $485,300 | $1,540 |
| Desert View Highlands | 2,613 | $76,094 | $360,400 | $2,002 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | $471,000 | $1,802 |
| Leona Valley | 1,465 | $131,667 | $711,300 | — |
| Elizabeth Lake | 1,840 | $120,078 | $411,900 | $2,094 |
| Rosamond | 21,473 | $79,386 | $352,600 | $1,498 |
| Acton | 7,880 | $113,000 | $733,400 | $3,056 |
| Green Valley | 880 | $87,857 | $371,100 | $1,738 |
More for people moving to Lancaster
Lancaster ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lancaster: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lancaster, CA?
The median household income in Lancaster is $81,511, 18% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Lancaster?
The median home value in Lancaster is $446,600, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Lancaster?
The median gross rent in Lancaster is $1,764 per month, about 36.2% of household income.
Is Lancaster, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 39% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the California median; an average commute of 31 minutes; unemployment of 7.5%; a poverty rate of 15.6%.
What is the median age in Lancaster?
The median age in Lancaster is 34.5 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Lancaster?
The average commute to work in Lancaster is 31 minutes; 9.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lancaster?
The unemployment rate in Lancaster is 7.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lancaster?
20% of adults in Lancaster have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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