Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 6.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 20.4% | 8.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.8% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Lubbock
$210,477
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $210,477 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 50.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Lubbock
18.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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