Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
36.8%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 6.2% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 2.1% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 2.8% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 36.8% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $60,487 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $34,629 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 19.0% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 34.9% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 50.8% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 35.8% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.8% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.5% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 18.4% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.6% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Lubbock
21.1 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 21.1 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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