Lubbock TX vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 153,455 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.1 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 64.6% | 30.4% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.5% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 16.7% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $2,144,024 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 43.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 25.3 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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