Albany NY vs Lubbock TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Albany
53.0%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 6.2% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 26.6% | 8.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $34,629 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 34.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 18.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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