Lubbock TX vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 146,211 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 31.9 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 64.6% | 51.9% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 10.3% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $45,845 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $27,570 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.4% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 29.6% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 30.5% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $215,134 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 41.3% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.5% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.8% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.1% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 41.5 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 19.3 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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