Lubbock TX vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.8 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 64.6% | 16.5% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.9% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $48,416 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $25,509 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 10.9% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 24.7% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 17.4% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $482,675 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 24.1% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Lubbock +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.9% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.0% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 23.4% | Lubbock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.2% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 46.3 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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