# Living in Lancaster, TX: Realust Score 66

> Source: Realust (realust.com), data as of October 2026. Cite: https://realust.com/city/lancaster/

URL: https://realust.com/city/lancaster/
County: Dallas
Realust Score: 66/100 (B-, Above Average), tied for #79 of 84. Base 66 + price-tier bonus 0.
Category scores: Prosperity 59, Schools 71, Safety 58, Lifestyle 76, Market 79, Affordability 80, Commute 61, Growth 66
Median home price: $270K
Population: 40,820
Market momentum: Growing (home prices -2.2% over 1 year, +13.3% over 5 years)

Lancaster represents one of the most affordable entry points into homeownership in southern Dallas County, offering budget-friendly housing and strategic location just 15 miles south of downtown Dallas for those willing to invest in a community actively working toward growth and revitalization. This city of approximately 40,000 residents provides straightforward highway access via I-35E to Dallas, southern suburbs, and growing employment centers without the price premiums attached to northern metro areas. The housing market is exceptionally accessible with single-family homes priced well below DFW averages, making Lancaster particularly attractive to first-time buyers, young families on tight budgets, and investors seeking rental properties with positive cash flow potential. Major employers include Amazon's massive fulfillment center and various logistics facilities capitalizing on central location and highway access, plus proximity to Dallas's southern employment corridor and expanding DeSoto/Cedar Hill business districts. The city has invested in quality-of-life improvements including upgraded parks, the Lancaster Recreation Center with aquatics and fitness facilities, and revitalization efforts in downtown Lancaster aimed at creating community gathering spaces. Lancaster ISD serves most residents with steadily improving academics, though families should research individual campuses as quality varies across the district. The community skews toward working families and long-term residents who appreciate affordability and are invested in the city's future, creating pockets of genuine neighborhood pride. Veterans Memorial Park and developing trail systems provide outdoor recreation, while major retail corridors along Pleasant Run Road offer essential shopping and dining. First-time homebuyers find exceptional value purchasing actual houses with yards at prices that would barely cover apartments in northern suburbs, while investors appreciate rental demand driven by logistics employment and affordability seekers.

Strengths:
- Affordable cost of living – Great value for first-time buyers and families
- Less congestion and noise than larger nearby cities
- Easy access to major highways – I-35E and nearby routes support commuting
- Established neighborhoods offer larger lots and mature trees in many areas

Trade-offs:
- Limited nightlife & dining
- School quality varies – Research specific zones carefully
- Fewer shopping & healthcare options
- Public transit is limited – A car is typically necessary

Data:
- Demographics / Population: Total Population 40,820; People per sq mile 1,235; 5-Year Growth +4.1%
- Demographics / Mobility & Migration: Moved Last Year 11.9%; Same Home 1+ Year 88.1%; From Out of State 0.2%; From Different County 2.6%
- Demographics / Age Distribution: Under 18 28.1%; 25-34 13.0%; 35-44 12.5%; 65+ 12.1%; Median Age 35.7 years
- Demographics / Households: Avg Household Size 2.7; Family Households 67.6%; Homeownership Rate 68.1%; With Kids 40.9%; Married 41.5%; Single Parent 14.2%; Living Alone 28.8%; Seniors Alone 9.1%
- Demographics / Education Level: High School+ 85.9%; Bachelor's+ 25.3%; Graduate Degree 9.8%
- Demographics / Connectivity & Remote Work: Broadband Access 90.6%; Have Computer 95.5%; Work From Home 7.9%
- Real Estate / Home Prices: Per Sq Ft $163; Starter Home $207,500; Median Price $270,106; Premium Home $549,000
- Real Estate / Home Price Trends: 1-Year Change -2.2%; 5-Year Change +13.3%
- Real Estate / Rent Trends: 1-Year Change +0.9%; 5-Year Change +29.6%
- Real Estate / Market Health: Active Listings 96; Median Days on Market 62; Under Contract 34.7%; Price Reduced 17.8%; Sale-to-List Ratio 98.4%
- Real Estate / Market Insights: Cheaper to Buy $335/mo; Seller's market 1.9 mo; Rental Yield 8.1%; Income to Buy 4x; vs Region Avg -28%
- Real Estate / Fit Scores: Remote Work Fit 68; Family Fit 51; Investment 100
- Real Estate / Typical Home: Sq Ft 1,850; Beds 3.4; Baths 2.3; Lot Sq Ft 117,777; Year Built 1990; Garage 1.9-car
- Real Estate / Property Mix: Single Family 73.2%; Townhome 0%; Condo 0%
- Real Estate / Common Features: Pool 1.9%; Garage 66.2%; Single Story 55.4%; Fireplace 47.1%; Central Air 57.3%; Waterfront 0.6%
- Real Estate / Costs & Ownership: Est. Monthly Payment $1,496; Median Rent $1,831; Avg HOA Fee $30/mo; Have HOA 15.9%
- Real Estate / Investment Indicators: Rental Vacancy 0%; New Construction 10.2%; Per Bedroom $81,179
- Lifestyle / Lifestyle Scores: Area Feel Sparse Suburban; Family Friendly 5.3; Outdoor Activities 5.3; Nightlife 4.7; Health & Fitness 4.7; Diversity 8; Weather 6.7
- Lifestyle / Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles): Restaurants 60+; Parks 31; Gyms 9; Grocery 3; Coffee 19; Bars 9; Theaters 1; Daycares 60+; Hospitals 13; Pharmacies 13; Dentists 18; Libraries 4; Dog Parks 60+; Museums 1
- Lifestyle / Getting Around: Walk Score 16; Bike Score 32
- Lifestyle / Seasonal Temperatures (high / low): January 56° / 39°; April 74° / 55°; July 94° / 77°; October 77° / 58°
- Lifestyle / Annual Conditions: Sunny Days/Year 218; Rainy Days/Year 147; Annual Rainfall 53.3"
- Crime & Safety / Safety Overview: Safety Grade C+; Violent crime (per 1,000) 3.43; Property crime (per 1,000) 20.9
- Crime & Safety / Violent Crime (per 100,000): Assault 286.52; Robbery 69.16; Murder 4.9; Rape 39.52
- Crime & Safety / Property Crime (per 100,000): Burglary 871.91; Theft 1721.58; Vehicle Theft 533.52
- Job Market / Income: Median Household $68,302; Average Household $85,731; Per Capita $31,689
- Job Market / Employment: Unemployment Rate 7.2%; Job Growth (1 yr) -0.3%; Poverty Rate 15.0%
- Job Market / Income Distribution: $150k+ 11.2%; $100k-$150k 20.4%; $75k-$100k 12.1%; $50k-$75k 24.5%; $25k-$50k 16.7%; Under $25k 15.1%
- Education / School District: Primary district Lancaster ISD; District Grade C; State Ranking Top 83%
- Education / Schools: Elementary 6; Middle 2; High School 1
- Education / Elementary Schools: West Main Elementary B (88); Houston Elementary B (86)
- Education / Middle Schools: Lancaster Middle D (68)
- Education / High Schools: Lancaster High School C (78)
- Education / Academic Info: Student-Teacher Ratio 14.7:1
- Education / Graduation Rates (Class of 2024): Graduation Rate 98.8%; Dropout Rate 0.2%
- Education / College Readiness (Class of 2023): Took SAT/ACT 83%; College Ready 3.5%; TSI Ready 8.9%
- Transportation / Mobility Scores: Walk Score 16; Bike Score 32
- Transportation / Commute: Avg Minutes 29; Drive Alone 76.8%; Carpool 12.7%; Work from Home 7.9%
- Transportation / Distance To: Downtown Dallas 16.6 mi; DFW Airport 33.2 mi; Love Field 23.8 mi
- Transportation / EV Charging: Public Stations 8; DC Fast Ports 15; Level 2 Ports 9
- Cost of Living / Cost Index (100 = National Average): Overall 100; Housing 113; Utilities 97; Groceries 100; Transportation 102; Healthcare 100
- Cost of Living / Monthly Utilities: Electric $142; Water $52; Gas $44; Internet $72
- Cost of Living / Everyday Costs: Monthly Groceries (Family of 4) $823; Gas Price (per gallon) $2.82
- Cost of Living / Taxes: Sales Tax Rate 8.3%; Property Tax Rate 2.2%

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