Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Lubbock, TX
🏆 Lubbock leads 15 of 23 categories
Buffalo
New York
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
276,688 ✓ Larger
Lubbock
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,734 ✓ Higher
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.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $50k less ($132,100 vs $181,600)
14% less violent crime than Lubbock
Rent averages $151/mo less ($942 vs $1,093)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 93°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Smaller class sizes — 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (706.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lubbock by $12,550/yr
Property crime (3809.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 4.6%)
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Households earn $12,550 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (4.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 32°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
More college-educated — 34.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
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
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Violent Crime
14% lower
706.2 vs 821.0 per 100k
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$50k less
$132,100 vs $181,600
Lubbock
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 94.4 (100 = US avg)
Lubbock
Median Income
$12,550
$58,734 vs $46,184/yr
Lubbock
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
4.6% vs 7.0% unemployment
Lubbock
Summer Heat
12.5°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 80.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lubbock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $181,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,093 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $58,734 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% ✓ Higher | 5.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High | 180⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 216⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 34.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 88.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | LUBBOCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F | 55.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 20.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 7.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 258,190 |
| Median Age | 33.9 ✓ Older | 30.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 51.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Lubbock's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Lubbock is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lubbock leads 15 of 23 categories. Buffalo wins 8 and Lubbock wins 15. 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 Buffalo to Lubbock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $181,600 median home), income ($46,184 vs $58,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Lubbock, TX are about 1,400 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.