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City Report · NY

Lancaster

Pop. 10,113·97th most expensive in New York·Rental market data updated monthly for Lancaster, NY
Median rent (all units)
$1,582/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
-$380
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lancaster · $1,582
More affordable than 70% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,582/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$63,000/yr
Local median income
$66,148/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lancaster's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$940
1 BR
$970
2 BR
$1,140
3 BR
$1,390
4 BR+
$1,580
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,140/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,582 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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$18,984/yr
At $1,582/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lancaster, NY is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 26.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,113
Median income
$66,148
Median age
45.1
Renters
26.3%
Age distribution
17.8%
21.3%
22.3%
17.5%
21%
Under 1817.8%
18–3421.3%
35–5422.3%
55–6417.5%
65+21%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
96.7%
White96.7%
Hispanic1.5%
Other1.6%
Education (25+)
31.2%
35.1%
26.6%
No HS diploma7.1%
HS diploma31.2%
Some college35.1%
Bachelor's+26.6%
Housing tenure
73.7%
26.3%
Owner73.7%
Renter26.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lancaster, NY has changed in 5 years

Income
$57,316 → $66,148
up 15.4%
Population
10,046 → 10,113
up 0.7%
Renter share
27.1% → 26.3%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
27% → 26.6%
-0.4 pts
Median age
46.4 → 45.1
-1.3 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $57,316 to $66,148 across the same window, up 15.4% versus 2021.

Community

Discussions about Lancaster

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

Can you afford rent in Lancaster on your salary?

At $1,582/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, NY

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Lancaster is $1,582/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $940/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,140/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $970/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,390/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($66,148/yr), Lancaster ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lancaster an affordable city for renters?

Lancaster is considered affordable for renters. At $1,582/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($66,148/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lancaster falls comfortably within that range.

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 $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,582/mo in Lancaster. The local median household income is $66,148/yr, meaning the typical Lancaster household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lancaster?

Rent in Lancaster has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does Lancaster rent compare to other cities in New York?

Lancaster is one of the more affordable cities in New York for rent, ranking #97 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,582/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lancaster?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lancaster ($1,582/mo): Depew ($1,527/mo), Clarence ($1,550/mo).

What percentage of Lancaster residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.3% of Lancaster households are renters, while 73.7% 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 $1,582/mo is $380 (19%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New York, it ranks #97 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,582/mo, rent takes ~29% of Lancaster's median household income ($66,148/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lancaster 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the Lancaster affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Lancaster
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lancaster, NY

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