Lubbock TX vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 229,228 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.2 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 6.1% | Lubbock + |
| White | 64.6% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.7% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 7.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.0% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 32.6% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $400,636 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.6% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 22.6 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Spokane 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 has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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