Lubbock TX vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 199,696 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 64.6% | 50.7% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 8.6% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $55,931 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.5% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 23.2% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $293,664 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 39.5% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.3% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 58.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 20.3 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, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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