Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 261,078 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 6.2% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 60.0% | 8.3% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $34,629 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $63,758 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 34.9% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Lubbock
$210,477
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $210,477 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 442 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2339 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 18.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.6% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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