Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lubbock, TX
VS
Portsmouth, VA
🏆 Lubbock leads 15 of 23 categories
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 ✓ Larger
Portsmouth
Virginia
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$57,154
Violent Crime Index
198⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
97,384
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.6%)
Homes cost $32k less ($181,600 vs $213,300)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 34.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $132/mo less ($1,093 vs $1,225)
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
Portsmouth, VA
Pros
8% less violent crime than Lubbock
Cons
Violent crime (752.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3860.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 4.6%)
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Lubbock
Key Differences at a Glance
Lubbock
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Lubbock
Median Income
$1,580
$58,734 vs $57,154/yr
Lubbock
Median Home Value
$32k less
$181,600 vs $213,300
Lubbock
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.6% vs 6.6% unemployment
Lubbock
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 88.0°F
Portsmouth
Violent Crime
8% lower
752.4 vs 821.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Portsmouth, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $181,600 ✓ Lower | $213,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,093 ✓ Lower | $1,225 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,734 ✓ Higher | $57,154 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter | 23.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 5.9% | 6.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 180⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 198⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 184⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (108) ✓ Better | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.2% ✓ Higher | 21.2% |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% | 89.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LUBBOCK ISD | Portsmouth City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.0°F ✓ Warmer | 48.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 20.5" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 7.0" | 3.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 258,190 ✓ Larger | 97,384 |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.0% | 56.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 23.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 15.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lubbock's cost of living index is 90.9 vs Portsmouth's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Lubbock is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lubbock leads 15 of 23 categories. Lubbock wins 15 and Portsmouth wins 8. 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 Lubbock to Portsmouth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($181,600 vs $213,300 median home), income ($58,734 vs $57,154), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lubbock, TX and Portsmouth, VA are about 1,455 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.