Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lubbock
36.8%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 261,078 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 6.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 22.9% | 8.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 36.8% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Lubbock
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $60,487 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $34,629 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 34.9% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Lubbock
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Lubbock
2339
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lubbock
18.4%
Lubbock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.5% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 18.4% | Lubbock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.6% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. 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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