Lubbock TX vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 33.5 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 64.6% | 63.7% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 4.2% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 19.5% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $240,538 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 47.2% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 39.3 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 25.0 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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