Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 261,078 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 6.2% | Lubbock + |
| White | 11.7% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 76.8% | 8.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lubbock
$210,477
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $210,477 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 18.4% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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