Lancaster is a small town of 3,943 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $45,610
and a 10.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Lancaster stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Lancaster is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Lancaster city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.0
Lancaster's overall cost of living index is 89.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Lancaster costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Lancaster, KY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$112,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$817
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
55.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$45,610
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Lancaster's violent crime rate is 73.2 per 100,000 residents
— 81% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
73.2 /100k
Property Crime
951.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Lancaster is served primarily by Garrard County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Lancaster, KY
National Avg
School District
Garrard County
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
77.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Lancaster sees average highs of 42.7°F in January
and 86.5°F in July,
with 47.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 7.4 inches of snow per year.
Lancaster's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Lancaster roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $112,200 and median rent is $817/month.
Lancaster's violent crime rate is 73.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 951.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Lancaster are operated by Garrard County.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1. 11.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Lancaster, KY has a population of 3,943, a median household income of $45,610, and an unemployment rate of 10.9%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Lancaster averages 42.7°F in January and 86.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 47.9 inches
with about 7.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Lancaster, KY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 40444.
The population of Lancaster, Kentucky is 3,943 with a median age of 33.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Lancaster: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $112,200, median household income $45,610, crime index 30 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Lancaster side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.