City comparison
No. Lubbock's crime index is 189 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 221 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The income gap between Denver and Lubbock is significant: $94,718 median household versus $60,895. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,182 in Lubbock.
This is a genuine split. Denver wins on the job market and Lubbock wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
Denver and Lubbock are 460 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $649 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $33,823 (36%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 189 in Lubbock, down 82 points (30%).
The move
Lubbock and Denver are 460 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $649 a month (55%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $94,718 in Denver, up $33,823 (56%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 271 in Denver, up 82 points (43%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 35% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,831 in Denver, so Lubbock is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $649/month back in your pocket ($7,788/year). Over five years that's $38,940 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 Denver, 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 Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
56% higher
Denver's median income is 56% higher than Lubbock
Denver
Winner$94,718
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 56% higher in Denver (about $33,823 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, Denver 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
Lubbock's crime index is 30% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
Winner189 (100 = avg)
Lubbock's crime index is 189 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% lower in Lubbock. 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, Lubbock is the easier city. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Denver and Lubbock are about even on typical weather.
Denver
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Lubbock averages around 62°F. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 56% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Lubbock is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 35% 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.
Lubbock 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 Denver (189 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.
Bottom line
Denver runs $1,831/month while Lubbock sits at $1,182 — roughly 35% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Denver-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Lubbock rent at $1,182/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Denver and 41/100 in Lubbock.
Lubbock is the default on housing cost at $1,182/month versus $1,831 in Denver; Denver stays in play when $94,718 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $649 lease gap.
Common questions
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