CostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Racine, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Racine is slightly cheaper than Lancaster — 2.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $78,100 in Racine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing1.9%
Lancaster
93.8
Racine
92
🛒 Groceries6.9%
Lancaster
100.7
Racine
93.8
🚗 Transportation+1.8%
Lancaster
102.6
Racine
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+1.7%
Lancaster
92.8
Racine
94.4
Utilities16.1%
Lancaster
107.3
Racine
90

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Lancaster to see what you'd need to earn in Racine to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Racine, WI
$78,100
$1,900 less needed in Racine

Formula: salary × (96 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 0.9766. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Lancaster has 1.9% lower housing costs compared to Racine.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Racine, WI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.