Lancaster, OH vs Vandalia, OH

Vandalia is moderately more affordable than Lancaster, with a 5.9% lower cost of living index. Lancaster scores 78 compared to 74 for Vandalia, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lancaster can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lancaster is $999/month compared to $863/month in Vandalia — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Vandalia has cheaper rent, Lancaster actually has lower median home values ($180,200 vs $186,500).

Median household income in Lancaster is $54,901 compared to $76,290 in Vandalia (-28%). Vandalia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lancaster spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, more than the 13.6% in Vandalia.