What are the schools like in Lancaster, PA?

Lancaster is served primarily by Lancaster SD. The district operates 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.2:1.

What is the median household income in Lancaster?

The median household income in Lancaster, PA is $61,014 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 7.4%.

What is the weather like in Lancaster, PA?

Lancaster has an average high temperature of 39.9°F in January and 87.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 44.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 21.4 inches.

Lancaster, PA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Lancaster, PA affordable or expensive?

Lancaster's cost of living index is 96, where 100 represents the national average. This means Lancaster is 4% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $179,500 and the median rent is $1,084 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Lancaster, PA?

Crime rate data for Lancaster is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Lancaster, PA a Good Place to Live?

Lancaster is a mid-sized city of 57,970 in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $61,014 and a 7.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 96 (US average = 100), which is 4% below the national average.

Strengths: Lancaster stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

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: 96.3

Lancaster's overall cost of living index is 96.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Lancaster costs roughly 4% less than the average American city.

Metric	Lancaster, PA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$179,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,084	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	46.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$61,014	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Lancaster is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Lancaster is served primarily by Lancaster SD. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Lancaster, PA	National Avg
School District	Lancaster SD	—
Elementary Schools	13	—
Middle Schools	4	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	27.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	83.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Lancaster sees average highs of 39.9°F in January and 87.0°F in July, with 44.1 inches of annual precipitation and 21.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Lancaster, PA
Average High — January	39.9°F
Average High — July	87.0°F
Annual Precipitation	44.1"
Annual Snowfall	21.4"

Demographics

Metric	Lancaster, PA	National Avg
Population	57,970	—
Median Age	31.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	7.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	23.0 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	51.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	17.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	21.8%	18.9%
Asian	2.7%	6.3%
Under 18	23.2%	22.2%
65 and over	9.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Millersville, PA 4 mi Lampeter, PA 4 mi Willow Street, PA 4 mi Witmer, PA 5 mi East Petersburg, PA 5 mi

ZIP Codes in Lancaster

Lancaster, PA is covered by 3 ZIP codes:

17602 17603 17601

Lancaster vs Other Cities

Lancaster, PA vs Millersville, PA Lancaster, PA vs Lampeter, PA Lancaster, PA vs Willow Street, PA Lancaster, PA vs Witmer, PA Lancaster, PA vs East Petersburg, PA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lancaster, PA affordable or expensive?

Lancaster's cost of living index is 96, where 100 is the national average. That makes Lancaster roughly 4% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $179,500 and median rent is $1,084/month.

What is the crime rate in Lancaster, PA?

Crime data for Lancaster is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Lancaster?

Public schools in Lancaster are operated by Lancaster SD. The district has 13 elementary, 4 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1. 27.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Lancaster, PA a good place to live?

Lancaster, PA has a population of 57,970, a median household income of $61,014, and an unemployment rate of 7.4%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Lancaster?

Lancaster averages 39.9°F in January and 87.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 44.1 inches with about 21.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Lancaster?

Lancaster, PA is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 17602, 17603, 17601.

What is the population of Lancaster?

The population of Lancaster, Pennsylvania is 57,970 with a median age of 31.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Lancaster?

Key numbers for living in Lancaster: cost of living index 96 (100 = US average), median home $179,500, median household income $61,014, 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.