Lubbock TX vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 105,460 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.6 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 5.1% | Lubbock + |
| White | 64.6% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.4% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.7% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 7.5% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 24.8% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $414,734 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 22.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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