Lubbock TX vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 118,578 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.5 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 5.7% | Lubbock + |
| White | 64.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 8.3% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.3% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 8.9% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $265,013 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 46.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 42.7% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.1% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 20.0 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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