City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 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 $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Austin and Lubbock is significant: $93,658 median household versus $60,895. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $1,182 in Lubbock.
Austin 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 Austin 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
Austin and Lubbock are 332 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $547 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $32,763 (35%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 189 in Lubbock, up 27 points (17%).
The move
Lubbock and Austin are 332 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $547 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $93,658 in Austin, up $32,763 (54%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 162 in Austin, down 27 points (14%).
Austin, 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 Austin and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 32% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,729 in Austin, so Lubbock is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $547/month back in your pocket ($6,564/year). Over five years that's $32,820 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 Austin, 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 Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
54% higher
Austin's median income is 54% higher than Lubbock
Austin
Winner$93,658
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 54% higher in Austin (about $32,763 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, Austin 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
14% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 14% lower than Lubbock
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in Austin. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Austin, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Lubbock. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Austin weather is 9% more comfortable than Lubbock
Austin
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Austin averages about 68°F (76°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Austin sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Austin 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 54% higher ($93,658), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than Lubbock (162 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 32% 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
Austin posts $93,658 median household income against $60,895 in Lubbock. That 35% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,182 in Lubbock and $1,729 in Austin.
Austin still pays more locally ($93,658 median income vs $60,895), which can offset the lease if your field pays Austin rates.
Safety scores read 45/100 in Austin and 41/100 in Lubbock.
Most movers who prioritize local pay land in Austin; Lubbock only makes sense when $1,182/month housing savings outweigh $93,658 median pay in your field.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Lubbock, plus other cities in TX.
