Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Lubbock, TX
🏆 Arvada leads 12 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
Lubbock
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,734
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
258,190 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Households earn $47,280 more per year on average
65% less violent crime than Lubbock
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (3.8%)
More college-educated — 47.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Lubbock
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Homes cost $371k less ($181,600 vs $553,000)
Rent averages $613/mo less ($1,093 vs $1,706)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Arvada
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 47°F
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $47,280/yr
Violent crime (821.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2628.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.6% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$47,280
$106,014 vs $58,734/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
65% lower
285.6 vs 821.0 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
3.8% vs 4.6% unemployment
Lubbock
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Lubbock
Median Home Value
$371k less
$181,600 vs $553,000
Lubbock
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 88.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lubbock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $181,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $1,093 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $58,734 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 5.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 216⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 34.2% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | LUBBOCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 55.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 20.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 7.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 258,190 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 30.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 51.0% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Lubbock's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Lubbock is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 12 of 23 categories. Arvada 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 Arvada to Lubbock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $181,600 median home), income ($106,014 vs $58,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Lubbock, TX are about 469 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.