Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
30.4
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
64.6%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
36.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 261,078 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 30.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 64.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $60,487 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $34,629 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $63,758 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 50.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 442 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2339 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Grand Island +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.8% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.5% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.4% | Grand Island + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°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.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Lubbock
17.4 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 17.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Grand Island 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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