City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 189 in Lubbock, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 221, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Safety is where Lubbock and Garland split most clearly. Garland scores 102 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,182 in Lubbock and $1,641 in Garland.
Garland 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 Garland 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
Lubbock and Garland are 305 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $459 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $76,320 in Garland, up $15,425 (25%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 87 in Garland, down 102 points (54%).
The move
Garland and Lubbock are 305 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $459 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $15,425 (20%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 189 in Lubbock, up 102 points (117%).
Lubbock, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Garland, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lubbock and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 28% cheaper than Garland
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,641 in Garland, so Lubbock is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $459/month back in your pocket ($5,508/year). Over five years that's $27,540 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 Garland, 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 Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Garland's median income is 25% higher than Lubbock
Lubbock
$60,895
Garland
Winner$76,320
Median household income is $76,320 in Garland versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Garland (about $15,425 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, Garland 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
54% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 54% lower than Lubbock
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 54% lower in Garland. 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, Garland 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
Garland weather is 9% more comfortable than Lubbock
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Garland
Winner66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Lubbock averages around 62°F. Garland sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Garland 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
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 28% 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.
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 25% higher ($76,320), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 66°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Garland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 54% lower than Lubbock (87 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Garland: Garland scores 64/100 versus 41/100 in Lubbock, with typical rent at $1,641 versus $1,182. I would vet the exact ZIP in Lubbock before trading 23 safety points for housing savings.
Garland still pays more locally ($76,320 median income vs $60,895), which can offset the lease if your field pays Garland rates.
Median income is $76,320 in Garland versus $60,895 in Lubbock.
Garland clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Lubbock deserves a serious look only when you already know the Lubbock block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
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