Lubbock TX vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 98,677 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.0 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 64.6% | 57.5% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 8.6% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $52,671 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.5% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 19.7% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 28.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $279,668 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.9% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.7% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 44.5 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 21.6 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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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