Clayton, NC vs Lancaster, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Clayton
67.4
#1425 nationally
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Clayton leads in crime level (4.6 vs 22.9). Clayton leads in cost of living index (103 vs 126). Lancaster leads in average commute (30.9 min vs 31.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Clayton, NC | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1425) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 30,216 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $365,680 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $71,698 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 31.5 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 29 |
| Crime Level | 4.6 | 22.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.5 | D+32.9 |
Data coverage note: Clayton is missing data for 1 metric that Lancaster has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
D+
67.4 Score
Clayton, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$365,680
Population
30,216
Crime
Moderate-Low
Median Income
$71,698
Southeast
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D-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →