Head-to-Head · City Comparison
El Paso, TX
VS
Lubbock, TX
🏆 El Paso leads 16 of 23 categories
El Paso
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,710
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
677,181 ✓ Larger
Lubbock
Texas
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9
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.
El Paso, TX
Pros
66% less violent crime than Lubbock
Homes cost $22k less ($159,300 vs $181,600)
Rent averages $117/mo less ($976 vs $1,093)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.2)
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 4.6%)
Median income trails Lubbock by $3,024/yr
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (4.6%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 34.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Households earn $3,024 more per year on average
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
El Paso
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 90.2 vs 90.9 (100 = US avg)
El Paso
Violent Crime
66% lower
278.4 vs 821.0 per 100k
El Paso
Median Home Value
$22k less
$159,300 vs $181,600
El Paso
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.8°F vs 92.7°F
Lubbock
Median Income
$3,024
$58,734 vs $55,710/yr
Lubbock
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
4.6% vs 6.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lubbock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.2 ✓ Cheaper | 90.9 |
| Median Home Value | $159,300 ✓ Lower | $181,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $976 ✓ Lower | $1,093 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $55,710 | $58,734 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.7 min | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.7% ✓ Higher | 5.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 72 ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 73 ✓ Safer | 216⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 71 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.1% | 34.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.5% | 88.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | EL PASO ISD | LUBBOCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.6°F ✓ Warmer | 55.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.8°F ✓ Warmer | 92.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.3" ✓ Drier | 20.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.8" ✓ Less | 7.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 677,181 ✓ Larger | 258,190 |
| Median Age | 33.7 ✓ Older | 30.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.5% ✓ Higher | 51.0% |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
El Paso's cost of living index is 90.2 vs Lubbock's 90.9 (US average = 100).
El Paso is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, El Paso leads 16 of 23 categories. El Paso wins 16 and Lubbock wins 7. 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 El Paso to Lubbock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($159,300 vs $181,600 median home), income ($55,710 vs $58,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
El Paso, TX and Lubbock, TX are about 289 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.