Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 261,078 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 6.2% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 22.4% | 8.3% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.8% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Lubbock
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $60,487 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $34,629 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 19.0% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 50.8% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Lubbock
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Lubbock
2339
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Lubbock
18.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.8% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.5% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.6% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
Compare More Cities
Arlington, TX vs New York, NYArlington, TX vs Los Angeles, CAArlington, TX vs Chicago, ILArlington, TX vs Houston, TXArlington, TX vs Phoenix, AZArlington, TX vs Philadelphia, PA