Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Erie, PA
VS
Lubbock, TX
🏆 Lubbock leads 13 of 22 categories
Erie
Pennsylvania
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.5
Median Household Income
$43,135
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
94,826
Lubbock
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,734 ✓ Higher
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.
Erie, PA
Pros
Homes cost $80k less ($101,500 vs $181,600)
54% less violent crime than Lubbock
Rent averages $284/mo less ($809 vs $1,093)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.5)
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 93°F
Cons
Median income trails Lubbock by $15,599/yr
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 4.6%)
Snowy winters — about 104" of snow per year
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Households earn $15,599 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (4.6%)
More college-educated — 34.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 35°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
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
Erie
Violent Crime
54% lower
375.6 vs 821.0 per 100k
Erie
Median Home Value
$80k less
$101,500 vs $181,600
Lubbock
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 91.5 (100 = US avg)
Lubbock
Median Income
$15,599
$58,734 vs $43,135/yr
Lubbock
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
4.6% vs 6.8% unemployment
Lubbock
Summer Heat
11.6°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 81.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Erie, PA | Lubbock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.5 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $101,500 ✓ Lower | $181,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $809 ✓ Lower | $1,093 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,135 | $58,734 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.2 min | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.8% | 5.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 96 ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 99 ✓ Safer | 216⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (90) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.4% | 34.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Erie City SD | LUBBOCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.2°F | 55.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.1°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.0" | 20.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 104.3" | 7.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,826 | 258,190 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.0 ✓ Older | 30.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.6% ✓ Higher | 51.0% |
| Under 18 | 21.4% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Erie's cost of living index is 91.5 vs Lubbock's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Lubbock is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lubbock leads 13 of 22 categories. Erie wins 9 and Lubbock wins 13. 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 Erie to Lubbock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($101,500 vs $181,600 median home), income ($43,135 vs $58,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Erie, PA and Lubbock, TX are about 1,324 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.