Lubbock TX vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 64.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $333,043 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 405 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.9% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.8% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.9% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 27.7 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sioux Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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