City comparison
Yes. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 189 in Lubbock, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 221, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Arlington and Lubbock split most clearly. Arlington scores 57 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,470 in Arlington and $1,182 in Lubbock.
Arlington 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 Arlington 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
Arlington and Lubbock are 281 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $288 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $14,276 (19%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 189 in Lubbock, up 57 points (43%).
The move
Lubbock and Arlington are 281 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $288 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $75,171 in Arlington, up $14,276 (23%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 132 in Arlington, down 57 points (30%).
Arlington, TX
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 Arlington and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 20% cheaper than Arlington
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Lubbock is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,456, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Lubbock still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Arlington.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
23% higher
Arlington's median income is 23% higher than Lubbock
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 23% higher in Arlington (about $14,276 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, Arlington 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
30% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 30% lower than Lubbock
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% lower in Arlington. 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, Arlington 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
Arlington weather is 9% more comfortable than Lubbock
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Arlington 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 23% higher ($75,171), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 30% lower than Lubbock (132 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 20% 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
Safety is the widest gap: Arlington scores 52/100 versus 41/100 in Lubbock. Rent is $1,470/month in Arlington and $1,182/month in Lubbock, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Arlington still pays more locally ($75,171 median income vs $60,895), which can offset the lease if your field pays Arlington rates.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $60,895 in Lubbock.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Arlington; Lubbock only makes sense when you have walked the Lubbock ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,182 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Lubbock, plus other cities in TX.
