Lubbock TX vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 203,888 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 33.0 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 64.6% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.7% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 20.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $580,126 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 46.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 21.3 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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