Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 6.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 7.4% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $60,487 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $34,629 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.0% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 34.9% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.5% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 18.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 13.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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