Lubbock TX vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.7 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 64.6% | 53.8% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 12.7% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $435,807 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 46.2 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 25.1 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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