Gilroy, CA vs Lancaster, CA

The cost of living difference between Gilroy, CA and Lancaster, CA is dramatic. Lancaster is 50.6% cheaper than Gilroy, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gilroy has a cost index of 188 while Lancaster sits at 125, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Gilroy is $2,270/month compared to $1,696/month in Lancaster — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lancaster is more affordable at $409,100 median vs $975,800.

Median household income in Gilroy is $131,554 compared to $76,083 in Lancaster (+72.9%). While Gilroy is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilroy spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, less than the 26.7% in Lancaster.

Climate-wise, Lancaster is notably warmer with an average of 62.1°F compared to 57.2°F in Gilroy. Gilroy receives more rainfall at 22.4" per year compared to 6.8" in Lancaster.