Lubbock TX vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.3 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 64.6% | 63.5% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 3.2% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 24.6% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.0% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $570,934 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 49.4% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Reno
18.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.9% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 22.3 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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