Lancaster vs Fort Collins: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Lancaster, CA and Fort Collins, CO, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Fort Collins, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,465 | 168,758 |
| Median household income | $71,367 | $78,977 |
| Median home value | $368,800 | $497,400 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,576 | $1,576 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Lancaster, CA and Fort Collins, CO comes down to what you value most. Lancaster has the lower median home value, and rents are comparable.
Fort Collins has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Lancaster or Fort Collins?
- By median home value, Lancaster is the cheaper of the two ($368,800 vs $497,400). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Lancaster or Fort Collins?
- Median household income is $71,367 in Lancaster versus $78,977 in Fort Collins, per the US Census Bureau.