Rows tagged local are specific to Lancaster (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Lancaster, PA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district Lancaster SD · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
96.8
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
98.3
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.51
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Median household income
$61,014
local
#2573 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$33,137
local
#2801 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
39.1 years
metro-area
#111 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
31.0%
metro-area
#124 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
5.6%
metro-area
#149 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
69.9%
metro-area
#48 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
7.35%
local
#2696 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-2.7%
local
#2793 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$179,500
local
#453 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.9×
local
#623 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+4.6%
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$103
local
#520 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,750 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,084
local
#622 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
688
Median days on market
5
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.6%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.34%
state
#32 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.07%
Capital gains tax
3.07%
state
#53 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.82%
local
#2637 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,266
local
#1374 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.8 years
metro-area
#38 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,000
state
#129 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
12.1%
metro-area
#155 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
72
metro-area
#114 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$65
state
#29 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
5
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#712 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
73.3%
metro-area
#75 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
30.3%
metro-area
#87 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
21.5¢/kWh
state
#147 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$193
state
#141 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.55/gal
state
#150 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#167 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$65
state
#14 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#8 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
95.0 — Relatively High
metro-area
#145 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
50
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
800
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
91%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
11
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
44.1"
metro-area
#116 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
23.1"
metro-area
#127 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
56%
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
390
state
#91 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,400
state
#11 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
17
metro-area
#186 of 200 metros
Parks
9
Hiking areas
9
Golf courses
9
Shooting ranges
1
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.