Lubbock TX vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 220,482 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.3 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 64.6% | 59.4% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 13.1% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.3% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 33.5% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $496,966 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.3% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.7% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 39.2 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 31.1 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Tacoma 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 Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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