Lancaster, California, is the 30th largest city in California with a population of over 156,000. Lancaster is known for the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, which, during in the peak of bloom time, covers its hillsides with a blanket of orange and gold. Lancaster is also home to a musical road, one of only three in the world and the only one in the country. When driven at approximately 55 mph, grooves along a section of 30th Street West cause a vibration and rumbling through the tires of a car, which then sounds like a rendition of the William Tell Overture.
Lancaster, CA is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $58,413 and a median rent of $1,274, the Lancaster, CA rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in Lancaster, CA. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.
Lancaster, CA is seeing rapid growth and Lancaster, CA's' housing market remains not optimal with an average home price that is 29% above the 2023 national average. Lancaster, CA is part of Los Angeles county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2023 for county Los Angeles is 0.59% which is below the national average, which is 0.99%.
Housing Statistics Being only 80 miles outside of Los Angeles, housing in Lancaster can be extremely expensive. As you'd expect, cost of living in Lancaster is also higher than the national average. The median sale price of a home in Lancaster is just over $160,000, while the average listing price is over $220,000. The average price for a detached, single family home is almost $330,000; $100,000 more than the average price of a townhouse or other attached unit. There are currently over 1,200 homes for sale or rent to own in Lancaster. Annual residential turnover is 23%, with only 28% of the population having lived in the same home for over 5 years. The median time spent residing in the same home is three years. Out of the over 41,000 housing units in Lancaster, 52% are owned and 38% are rented. About 10% of the homes are currently vacant. Median rent in Lancaster is $1,000 a month, with almost one percent of renters paying over $1,500.
Events and Festivals Lancaster is a family-oriented community, with annual Easter egg hunts and a 4th of July Extravaganza. By far the most popular event in Lancaster is the annual California Poppy Festival in late April. For many residents, this celebration of the blooming poppies kicks off spring. The community is also home to a year-round farmers' market. The summer months bring free outdoor concerts, while a beer festival and rodeo are other annual events.
School Systems Lancaster California is home to four different school districts: Antelope Valley Union High School District, Eastside Union School District, Lancaster School District, and Westside Union School District. Great strides have been made to improve the Lancaster School District. There are also several private schools, many of which are affiliated with a religious institution, including Bethel Christian School, Grace Lutheran Christian School Sacred Heart School and Antelope Valley Adventist School. Desert Montessori Academy is a secular private school. Antelope Valley College, West Coast Baptist College and University of Antelope Valley are all higher-education institutions in Lancaster, while California State University-Bakersfield operates a satellite campus in the city.
Local Shopping Downtown Lancaster is an excellent destination for shopping. With more than five local shopping centers and malls, you can find whatever you're looking for inside the Lancaster city limits. The most popular of these is The BLVD, which is quickly becoming the premiere destination for locals and tourists alike. Aside from the numerous shopping and dining spots, The BLVD is a great place to find live entertainment or to see a movie.
Local Restaurants With more than 100 dining choices in Lancaster, anyone can find something they'll enjoy. Giannini Bistro & Grill serves excellent Italian and Seafood dishes. If you prefer Mexican cuisine, Azteca is the place to go. If you're one of the many people who enjoy tasting local beers, Kinetic Brewing Company is worth checking out. With an enjoyable selection of local brews paired with excellent food, it's one of the most popular dining locations.
Neighborhoods There are a few key neighborhoods throughout the 94 square miles that make up Lancaster: