Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Lancaster, CA
🏆 Fresno leads 12 of 21 categories
Fresno
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Lancaster
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,367 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
171,465
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
12% less violent crime than Lancaster
Rent averages $349/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,576)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Homes cost $47k less ($321,800 vs $368,800)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Lancaster
More college-educated — 24.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Lancaster by $8,366/yr
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 7.5%)
Lancaster, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (7.5%)
Households earn $8,366 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (834.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,576/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Pricier housing — median home is $368,800
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Violent Crime
12% lower
735.5 vs 834.7 per 100k
Fresno
Median Home Value
$47k less
$321,800 vs $368,800
Lancaster
Median Income
$8,366
$71,367 vs $63,001/yr
Lancaster
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
7.5% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $368,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,576⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $71,367 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 7.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% ✓ Higher | 8.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) ✓ Better | C- (63) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% ✓ Higher | 19.4% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 81.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Lancaster Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F | 58.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 97.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" | 6.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 171,465 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 57.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% | 27.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Lancaster's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Fresno leads 12 of 21 categories. Fresno wins 12 and Lancaster wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fresno to Lancaster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $368,800 median home), income ($63,001 vs $71,367), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Lancaster, CA are about 170 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.