Lubbock TX vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 26,509 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.7 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 64.6% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 8.3% | 3.6% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 3.9% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $344,633 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.4% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 34.0 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 28.3 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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