City comparison
Yes. Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 189 in Lubbock, and its violent crime index is 165 versus 221, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The income gap between Anaheim and Lubbock is significant: $95,227 median household versus $60,895. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,175 in Anaheim and $1,182 in Lubbock.
Anaheim is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Lubbock makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Anaheim is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Lubbock at $1,182 average has pockets that run $982 and others at $1,582: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Anaheim and Lubbock are 922 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $993 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $34,332 (36%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 189 in Lubbock, up 46 points (32%).
The move
Lubbock and Anaheim are 922 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $993 a month (84%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $34,332 (56%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 143 in Anaheim, down 46 points (24%).
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Lubbock, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Anaheim and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 46% cheaper than Anaheim
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Lubbock is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $993/month back in your pocket ($11,916/year). Over five years that's $59,580 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Lubbock is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
56% higher
Anaheim's median income is 56% higher than Lubbock
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 56% higher in Anaheim (about $34,332 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Lubbock can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
24% lower crime
Anaheim's crime index is 24% lower than Lubbock
Anaheim
Winner143 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 24% lower in Anaheim. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Anaheim is the easier city. Lubbock can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Anaheim weather is 9% more comfortable than Lubbock
Anaheim
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Anaheim scores 9% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Lubbock if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 56% higher ($95,227), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Anaheim is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 24% lower than Lubbock (143 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Lubbock
Lubbock is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 46% cheaper here at about $1,182 a month. Choose Lubbock if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,182/month in Lubbock versus $2,175 in Anaheim. Median income reads $60,895 in Lubbock and $95,227 in Anaheim, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Lubbock rent at $1,182/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 49/100 in Anaheim and 41/100 in Lubbock.
Pick Lubbock when shaving $993 off rent at $1,182/month is the priority. Otherwise, Anaheim's case rests on $2,175/month rent with $95,227 local income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Anaheim and Lubbock, plus other cities in CA and TX.
