Lubbock TX vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 126,103 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.2 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 5.3% | Lubbock + |
| White | 64.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 8.3% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 16.9% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $55,902 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $33,290 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.9% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 29.1% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.7% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.1% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.9% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 39.0 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Topeka
18.3 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 18.3 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
Lubbock, TX vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lubbock, TXChicago, IL vs Lubbock, TXHouston, TX vs Lubbock, TXLubbock, TX vs Phoenix, AZLubbock, TX vs Philadelphia, PA