Lancaster, CA vs Santa Maria, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Santa Maria leads in walk score (52 vs 29). Santa Maria leads in average commute (22.1 min vs 30.9 min). Santa Maria leads in crime level (18.1 vs 22.9).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.5 (#1905) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 166,236 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $465,459 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $71,367 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 30.9 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 22.9 | 18.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+26.7 |
D-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →
D
63.3 Score
Santa Maria, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$668,983
Population
109,987
Crime
High
Walk Score
52
Pacific
View Santa Maria, CA →
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