Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lubbock, TX
VS
South Gate, CA
🏆 Lubbock leads 14 of 23 categories
Lubbock
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,734
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
258,190 ✓ Larger
South Gate
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
92,381
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Homes cost $397k less ($181,600 vs $578,900)
25% cheaper overall cost of living than South Gate
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (4.6%)
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Rent averages $307/mo less ($1,093 vs $1,400)
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
Median income trails South Gate by $8,454/yr
Property crime (2628.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
South Gate, CA
Pros
36% less violent crime than Lubbock
Households earn $8,454 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 55°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 93°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $578,900
Violent crime (525.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 25% higher than Lubbock
Higher rents — median is $1,400/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Lubbock
Cost of Living
25% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Lubbock
Median Home Value
$397k less
$181,600 vs $578,900
Lubbock
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
4.6% vs 7.9% unemployment
Lubbock
Summer Heat
10.7°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 82.0°F
South Gate
Median Income
$8,454
$67,188 vs $58,734/yr
South Gate
Violent Crime
36% lower
525.6 vs 821.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | South Gate, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $181,600 ✓ Lower | $578,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,093 ✓ Lower | $1,400⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,734 | $67,188 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 5.9% | 6.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 180⚠ High | 152⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (108) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.2% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% ✓ Higher | 58.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LUBBOCK ISD | Westbrook Academy District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.0°F | 68.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 82.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 20.5" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 7.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 258,190 ✓ Larger | 92,381 |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 33.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.0% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lubbock's cost of living index is 90.9 vs South Gate's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Lubbock is 25% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lubbock leads 14 of 23 categories. Lubbock wins 14 and South Gate wins 9. 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 South Gate or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($181,600 vs $578,900 median home), income ($58,734 vs $67,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lubbock, TX and South Gate, CA are about 936 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.