Lubbock TX vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 242,169 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 49.2 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 64.6% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.0% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 9.4% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $858,307 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 23.2 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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