Lubbock TX vs Miami Gardens FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Lubbock, TX

Texas · Population: 261,078

  • Median HH Income$60,487
  • Median Home Price$210,477
  • Unemployment4.8%
  • Bachelor's+34.9%

Miami Gardens, FL

Florida · Population: 11,627

  • Median HH Income$137,873
  • Median Home Price$472,888
  • Unemployment6.5%
  • Bachelor's+64.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
15.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Miami Gardens
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min

Which City is Right for You?

Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Lubbock & Miami Gardens