Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 261,078 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 6.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 29.0% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $60,487 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $34,629 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 19.0% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 34.9% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Lubbock
11.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.8% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 18.4% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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