Lubbock TX vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 129,239 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.5 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 64.6% | 31.9% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.1% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 16.1% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $720,443 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 41.2% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 32.2 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 25.2 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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