Lubbock TX vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 64.6% | 61.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 8.9% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $427,121 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.5% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 25.0 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach 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%.
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