Lubbock TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 205,501 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.1 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 64.6% | 58.0% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 24.9% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.4% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 19.8% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 34.1% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $435,532 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 42.4% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.9% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.5% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 48.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 27.3 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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