City Report · CA

Lancaster

Pop. 169,169·270th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Lancaster, CA
Median rent (all units)
$2,438/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.0%
Month-over-Month
+1.5%
vs US Median
+$476
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lancaster · $2,438
More expensive than 77% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
80/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 15% below what Lancaster's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,438/mo
Expected by trend
$2,875/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lancaster's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,600
1 BR
$1,810
2 BR
$2,290
3 BR
$2,940
4 BR+
$3,240
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,290/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,438 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$29,256/yr
At $2,438/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.0% YoY, +1.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lancaster, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 20% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
169,169
Median income
$81,511
Median age
34.5
Renters
39.6%
Age distribution
26.7%
24%
25.2%
12.1%
Under 1826.7%
18–3424%
35–5425.2%
55–6412%
65+12.1%
Gender
50%
50%
Male50%
Female50%
Race & ethnicity
30%
19.5%
48.2%
White30%
Black19.5%
Hispanic48.2%
Asian4.2%
Education (25+)
18.6%
29.1%
32.4%
20%
No HS diploma18.6%
HS diploma29.1%
Some college32.4%
Bachelor's+20%
Housing tenure
60.4%
39.6%
Owner60.4%
Renter39.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Lancaster, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,885 → $2,438
up 29.3%
Income
$61,454 → $81,511
up 32.6%
Population
171,820 → 169,169
down 1.5%
Renter share
45% → 39.6%
-5.4 pts
Bachelor's+
19.1% → 20%
+0.9 pts
Median age
33.3 → 34.5
+1.2 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Lancaster, CA has shifted from $1,885 to $2,438, up 29.3% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $61,454 to $81,511 across the same window, up 32.6% versus 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Lancaster, CA losing about 2,651 residents over the five-year window, down 1.5% on net. The renter share has eased from 45% to 39.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Lancaster, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Lancaster rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lancaster on your salary?

At $2,438/mo, how Lancaster rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lancaster rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lancaster. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lancaster

About renting in Lancaster, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Lancaster is $2,438/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,600/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,290/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,940/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($81,511/yr), Lancaster ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lancaster an affordable city for renters?

Lancaster is considered moderate for renters. At $2,438/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($81,511/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lancaster slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Lancaster?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $98,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,438/mo in Lancaster. The local median household income is $81,511/yr, meaning the typical Lancaster household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lancaster?

Rent in Lancaster has increased 1.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Lancaster neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lancaster are 93534 ($1,955/mo), 93536 ($2,640/mo), and 93535 ($2,731/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lancaster is $2,438/mo.

How does Lancaster rent compare to other cities in California?

Lancaster is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #270 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,438/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lancaster?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lancaster ($2,438/mo): California City ($1,756/mo), Rosamond ($2,172/mo).

What percentage of Lancaster residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.6% of Lancaster households are renters, while 60.4% are owner-occupied. Lancaster leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lancaster rent compare to the national average?

Lancaster's median rent of $2,438/mo is $476 (24%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #270 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $2,438/mo, rent takes ~36% of Lancaster's median household income ($81,511/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lancaster 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Lancaster affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lancaster, CA

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