Lubbock TX vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 107,699 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 4.7% | Lubbock + |
| White | 64.6% | 49.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.6% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 5.2% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $48,536 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $31,324 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.0% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 23.8% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $231,461 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 45.1% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 42.6% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.0% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.3% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.7% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 55.0 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 20.0 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, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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