Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 261,078 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 6.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 25.8% | 8.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $60,487 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $34,629 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.8% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 19.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 34.9% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 50.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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