Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- 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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
36.8%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 261,078 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 6.2% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.5% | 8.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 2.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 36.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $60,487 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $34,629 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 19.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 34.9% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.5% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 18.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 17.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
21.1 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 21.1 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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