Living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lancaster · Census data 2020–2024
Lancaster has 57,719 residents with a median age of 32.2. The median household income is $63,690 (18% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $219,500, the median rent is $1,240/month.
Lancaster at a glance
- Population
- 57,719
- Median age
- 32.2State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $63,690State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $219,500State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $1,240/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 48.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.4%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Lancaster a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 14% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 8.1%; a poverty rate of 20.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Lancaster
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lancaster the median home value is $219,500, 34% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,240 per month, which is 28.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,510 a month in housing costs.
Lancaster median household income
The median household income in Lancaster is $63,690 and the income per person is $31,159. 20.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Lancaster: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 23,049
- Owner-occupied
- 48.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 51.4%
- Vacant
- 4.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.44
Lancaster demographics
- Population
- 57,719
- Median age
- 32.2
- Under 18
- 20.8%
- 65 and older
- 10.4%
- Households
- 21,971
- Foreign-born
- 13.4%
- Veterans
- 3.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lancaster ›
Education in Lancaster
29.4% of adults 25 and older in Lancaster have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 10.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lancaster
- Unemployment rate
- 8.1%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 10.3%
- Drive alone
- 59.8%
- Public transit
- 4.3%
- Walk to work
- 10.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.3%
Lancaster vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 57,719 | $63,690 | $219,500 | $1,240 |
| Rohrerstown | 706 | $56,773 | $281,100 | $1,119 |
| Manheim | 44,237 | $102,134 | $362,800 | $1,609 |
| Millersville | 8,982 | $67,866 | $277,600 | $1,369 |
| West Lampeter | 17,391 | $110,143 | $345,000 | $3,028 |
| Lampeter | 2,140 | $101,667 | $422,900 | $1,442 |
| Willow Street | 9,647 | $109,675 | $314,700 | $2,672 |
| East Lampeter | 17,958 | $87,361 | $306,900 | $1,487 |
| Witmer | 527 | $101,023 | $248,200 | — |
More for people moving to Lancaster
Lancaster ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lancaster: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lancaster, PA?
The median household income in Lancaster is $63,690, 18% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (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 $219,500, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Lancaster?
The median gross rent in Lancaster is $1,240 per month, about 28.9% of household income.
Is Lancaster, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 14% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 8.1%; a poverty rate of 20.3%.
What is the median age in Lancaster?
The median age in Lancaster is 32.2 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Lancaster?
The average commute to work in Lancaster is 24 minutes; 10.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lancaster?
The unemployment rate in Lancaster is 8.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lancaster?
29.4% 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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