Lubbock TX vs Murrieta CA — 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%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 84,304 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 46.0 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 64.6% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 8.3% | 0.7% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 10.1% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $690,322 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 24.9 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, 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 Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
Compare More Cities
Lubbock, TX vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lubbock, TXChicago, IL vs Lubbock, TXHouston, TX vs Lubbock, TXLubbock, TX vs Phoenix, AZLubbock, TX vs Philadelphia, PA