Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fairfield, CA
VS
Lubbock, TX
🏆 Lubbock leads 12 of 23 categories
Fairfield
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$98,857 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
119,420
Lubbock
Texas
12
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.
Fairfield, CA
Pros
Households earn $40,123 more per year on average
39% less violent crime than Lubbock
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $546,200
Higher rents — median is $2,047/mo
Violent crime (498.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Lubbock
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Homes cost $365k less ($181,600 vs $546,200)
Rent averages $954/mo less ($1,093 vs $2,047)
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Fairfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.6%)
More college-educated — 34.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Fairfield by $40,123/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
Key Differences at a Glance
Fairfield
Median Income
$40,123
$98,857 vs $58,734/yr
Fairfield
Violent Crime
39% lower
498.0 vs 821.0 per 100k
Lubbock
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 109.2 (100 = US avg)
Lubbock
Median Home Value
$365k less
$181,600 vs $546,200
Lubbock
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.6% vs 5.5% unemployment
Lubbock
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 89.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fairfield, CA | Lubbock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 109.2⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $546,200⚠ High | $181,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,047⚠ High | $1,093 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $98,857 ✓ Higher | $58,734 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.3 min⚠ High | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 5.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 216⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.1:1 | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.8% | 34.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.0% | 88.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fairfield-Suisun Unified | LUBBOCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.6°F ✓ Warmer | 55.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.5" | 20.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 7.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 119,420 | 258,190 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.8 ✓ Older | 30.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 51.0% |
| Under 18 | 24.7% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fairfield's cost of living index is 109.2 vs Lubbock's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Lubbock is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lubbock leads 12 of 23 categories. Fairfield wins 11 and Lubbock wins 12. 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 Fairfield to Lubbock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($546,200 vs $181,600 median home), income ($98,857 vs $58,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fairfield, CA and Lubbock, TX are about 1,170 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.