Lancaster

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Overview

With a composite score of 55.4/100 and a B grade, Lancaster ranks #5 of 20 cities in Pennsylvania. Its strongest showing is in Affordability (74/100), while Outdoor Access (20/100) represents its largest gap.

Income & Employment in Lancaster

The median household income in Lancaster is $63,421, 14% below the statewide median of $73,823. The local unemployment rate of 3.2% is lower than the state’s 4.1%. Population grew 2% recently.

Safety in Lancaster

Lancaster’s violent crime rate of 377.5 per 100,000 runs above the Pennsylvania average of 313. The property crime rate is 1879.3 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Lancaster

Lancaster has a cost of living index of 96.3 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $203,700. Median monthly rent is $1,177. Renters spend 22.3% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Education & Schools in Lancaster

Lancaster has a high school graduation rate of 88.6%. The student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $19,114 per student, well above the national median. The city has 37 public schools serving 21,479 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Lancaster

Lancaster enjoys a moderate climate with an annual average of 56.7°F. Summers average 73.7°F. Winters average 41.5°F. Annual precipitation is 46.6 inches.

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