Lubbock TX vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 68,505 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.5 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 64.6% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 8.3% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 3.1% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,587 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $561,069 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 46.7% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.3% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 47.3 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 21.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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