Lubbock TX vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 100,731 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.0 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 64.6% | 57.5% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 6.0% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.5% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 24.5% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $56,025 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $30,475 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.6% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 19.9% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 16.8% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $439,767 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 40.0% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.3% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 22.0% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 21.4% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 51.9 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 27.2 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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