Lubbock TX vs Utica 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Utica
33.0
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 51,054 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 33.0 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 64.6% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 8.3% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 9.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $57,688 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 9.4% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 23.8% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.6% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.1% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.4% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.7% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 22.7 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica 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 Utica 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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