Lubbock TX vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 36.6 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 64.6% | 45.7% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 5.1% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $55,279 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.1% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 19.8% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 45.4% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.9% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.8% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | St. Louis, MO | 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
Lubbock +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 24.0 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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