Lubbock TX vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 64.6% | 31.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 7.9% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $55,339 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 22.6% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $245,988 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 50.5% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.1% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.4% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.7% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.5% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 66.6 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 24.6 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, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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