Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arlington, TX
VS
Lubbock, TX
🏆 Arlington leads 12 of 23 categories
Arlington
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,736 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
393,469 ✓ Larger
Lubbock
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,734
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
258,190
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arlington, TX
Pros
41% less violent crime than Lubbock
Households earn $13,002 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (482.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Lubbock
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.6%)
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Homes cost $70k less ($181,600 vs $251,300)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Rent averages $204/mo less ($1,093 vs $1,297)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.6%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Arlington
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Violent crime (821.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Arlington by $13,002/yr
Property crime (2628.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Arlington
Median Income
$13,002
$71,736 vs $58,734/yr
Arlington
Violent Crime
41% lower
482.9 vs 821.0 per 100k
Arlington
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 92.7°F
Lubbock
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Lubbock
Median Home Value
$70k less
$181,600 vs $251,300
Lubbock
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.6% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lubbock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $251,300 | $181,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,297 | $1,093 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,736 ✓ Higher | $58,734 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 5.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 216⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.4% | 34.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.9% | 88.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ARLINGTON ISD | LUBBOCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.9°F ✓ Warmer | 55.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 92.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" | 20.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.8" ✓ Less | 7.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 393,469 ✓ Larger | 258,190 |
| Median Age | 33.1 ✓ Older | 30.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 51.0% |
| Under 18 | 25.3% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.1% | 12.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arlington's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Lubbock's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Lubbock is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arlington leads 12 of 23 categories. Arlington wins 12 and Lubbock wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arlington to Lubbock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($251,300 vs $181,600 median home), income ($71,736 vs $58,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arlington, TX and Lubbock, TX are about 282 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.