What are the schools like in Lancaster, SC?

Lancaster is served primarily by Lancaster 01. The district operates 12 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 5 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.4:1.

What is the median household income in Lancaster?

The median household income in Lancaster, SC is $37,714 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 13.3%.

What is the weather like in Lancaster, SC?

Lancaster has an average high temperature of 53.5°F in January and 90.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 2.6 inches.

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

Q: Is Lancaster, SC affordable or expensive?

Lancaster's cost of living index is 97, where 100 represents the national average. This means Lancaster is 3% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $194,300 and the median rent is $775 per month.

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

Lancaster has a violent crime rate of 1063.9 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 6179.5 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Lancaster, SC a Good Place to Live?

Lancaster is a small town of 8,592 in South Carolina, with a median household income of $37,714 and a 13.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 97 (US average = 100), which is 3% below the national average.

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

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, 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: 97.0

Lancaster's overall cost of living index is 97.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Lancaster costs roughly 3% less than the average American city.

Metric	Lancaster, SC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$194,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$775	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	41.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$37,714	$74,755

Crime & Safety

High Crime

Lancaster's violent crime rate is 1063.9 per 100,000 residents — 180% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

1063.9 /100k

Property Crime

6179.5 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Lancaster is served primarily by Lancaster 01. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Lancaster, SC	National Avg
School District	Lancaster 01	—
Elementary Schools	12	—
Middle Schools	6	—
High Schools	5	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	16.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	82.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Lancaster sees average highs of 53.5°F in January and 90.7°F in July, with 45.8 inches of annual precipitation and 2.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Lancaster, SC
Average High — January	53.5°F
Average High — July	90.7°F
Annual Precipitation	45.8"
Annual Snowfall	2.6"

Demographics

Metric	Lancaster, SC	National Avg
Population	8,592	—
Median Age	35.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	13.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	24.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	36.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	51.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	8.4%	18.9%
Asian	2.3%	6.3%
Under 18	27.2%	22.2%
65 and over	15.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Springdale, SC 2 mi Irwin, SC 3 mi Elgin, SC 5 mi Fort Lawn, SC 7 mi Unity, SC 7 mi

Lancaster vs Other Cities

Lancaster, SC vs Springdale, SC Lancaster, SC vs Irwin, SC Lancaster, SC vs Elgin, SC Lancaster, SC vs Fort Lawn, SC Lancaster, SC vs Unity, SC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lancaster, SC affordable or expensive?

Lancaster's cost of living index is 97, where 100 is the national average. That makes Lancaster roughly 3% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $194,300 and median rent is $775/month.

What is the crime rate in Lancaster, SC?

Lancaster's violent crime rate is 1063.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 6179.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Lancaster?

Public schools in Lancaster are operated by Lancaster 01. The district has 12 elementary, 6 middle, and 5 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1. 16.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Lancaster, SC a good place to live?

Lancaster, SC has a population of 8,592, a median household income of $37,714, and an unemployment rate of 13.3%. 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 53.5°F in January and 90.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.8 inches with about 2.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Lancaster?

The population of Lancaster, South Carolina is 8,592 with a median age of 35.6. 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 97 (100 = US average), median home $194,300, median household income $37,714, crime index 286 (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.