New search

City comparison

Minneapolis, MN vs Lubbock, TX

Is Minneapolis safer than Lubbock?

No. Lubbock's crime index is 189 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 221 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.

Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.

Safety is where Minneapolis and Lubbock split most clearly. Lubbock scores 114 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,182 in Lubbock.

Lubbock is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Minneapolis makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Lubbock is the stronger move.

The crime gap is citywide. Lubbock has rougher pockets and Minneapolis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.

The move

Moving from Minneapolis to Lubbock

Minneapolis and Lubbock are 911 miles apart in a straight line.

Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $189 a month (14%).

Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $19,951 (25%).

The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 189 in Lubbock, down 114 points (38%).

The move

Moving from Lubbock to Minneapolis

Lubbock and Minneapolis are 911 miles apart in a straight line.

Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $189 a month (16%).

Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $19,951 (33%).

The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 303 in Minneapolis, up 114 points (60%).

Minneapolis, MN

Rent
$1,371/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$1,734/mo
Median income
80,846
Crime index
303
Weather
55°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Lubbock, TX

Rent
$1,182/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$1,241/mo
Median income
60,895
Crime index
189
Weather
62°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Comparing Minneapolis and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.

Rent

14% cheaper

Lubbock rent is 14% cheaper than Minneapolis

Minneapolis

$1,371/mo

Lubbock

Winner

$1,182/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so Lubbock is 14% 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 $2,268, 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 Minneapolis.

Planning to buy in Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide.

Median income

33% higher

Minneapolis's median income is 33% higher than Lubbock

Minneapolis

Winner

$80,846

Lubbock

$60,895

What this means for your life

Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Minneapolis (about $19,951 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, Minneapolis 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

38% lower crime

Lubbock's crime index is 38% lower than Minneapolis

Minneapolis

303 (100 = avg)

Lubbock

Winner

189 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Lubbock's crime index is 189 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% 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. Minneapolis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

Typical weather

28% more comfortable

Lubbock weather is 28% more comfortable than Minneapolis

Minneapolis

55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100

Lubbock

Winner

62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100

What this means for your life

Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Lubbock scores 28% 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 Minneapolis if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose Minneapolis

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Minneapolis is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 33% higher here ($80,846). Start with Minneapolis if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Minneapolis report →

Fit check

Who should choose Lubbock

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Lubbock is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 14% 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.

Pick Lubbock if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (62°F) beat Minneapolis on this page's weather index by 28%. Minneapolis may pay more or cost less, but Lubbock is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Lubbock is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 38% lower than Minneapolis (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.

Open the Lubbock report →

Bottom line

Minneapolis vs Lubbock: Our Take

Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Lubbock leads on safety (41/100 vs 26/100 in Minneapolis). Typical rent is $1,182 in Lubbock and $1,371 in Minneapolis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.

Lubbock rent at $1,182/month is still below Minneapolis's $1,371, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.

Weather averages land near 55°F in Minneapolis and 62°F in Lubbock.

Between Minneapolis and Lubbock, Lubbock is ahead on safety — 41/100 safety versus 26/100. Lean Minneapolis instead when you already know the Minneapolis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.

Common questions

Minneapolis vs Lubbock FAQ

Is Minneapolis cheaper than Lubbock?
No. Lubbock is cheaper: typical rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis (14% lower). Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis compared with $60,895 in Lubbock, so Minneapolis has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Minneapolis or Lubbock?
Lubbock is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 189 versus 303 in Minneapolis (38% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Minneapolis or Lubbock?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Minneapolis. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Lubbock. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

Ready to move to Lubbock?

Next steps

Tools for your move

Quotes and listings for Lubbock when you're ready to act.

Keep researching

Explore more comparisons

Nearby research

Related Cities

Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and Lubbock, plus other cities in MN and TX.