Lubbock TX vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 250,887 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.6 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 64.6% | 48.7% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.3% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 17.9% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $57,673 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $419,326 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 58.4 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 23.2 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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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