Lubbock TX vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.7 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 64.6% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 29.5% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.2% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $480,548 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 27.0 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
Lubbock, TX vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lubbock, TXChicago, IL vs Lubbock, TXHouston, TX vs Lubbock, TXLubbock, TX vs Phoenix, AZLubbock, TX vs Philadelphia, PA