Lubbock TX vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.6 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 64.6% | 48.3% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 7.0% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
San Antonio
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $32,983 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 28.7% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $251,035 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
San Antonio
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
San Antonio
2339
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Lubbock +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
San Antonio
13.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 24.5% | Lubbock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 34.9 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 26.5 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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