Irving vs Lancaster
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Lancaster
The Verdict
Irving is 21.9% less expensive than Lancaster overall. A household earning $75,000 in Irving would need approximately $96,000 in Lancaster to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $96,000 in Lancaster.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lancaster equals $58,594 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Lancaster
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Lancaster's 148, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $447,000. The $129,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,388 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,625/mo in Lancaster, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 109 in Lancaster. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $518/month in Lancaster. Irving offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 111 in Lancaster. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $444 in Lancaster. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 96 in Lancaster. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $81,500 in Lancaster. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $63,672 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,902/month in Lancaster. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Lancaster, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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