City comparison
Yes. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 189 in Lubbock, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 221, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
The income gap between Plano and Lubbock is significant: $112,253 median household versus $60,895. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,841 in Plano and $1,182 in Lubbock.
Plano 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 Plano 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
Plano and Lubbock are 300 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $659 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $51,358 (46%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 189 in Lubbock, up 127 points (205%).
The move
Lubbock and Plano are 300 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $659 a month (56%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $112,253 in Plano, up $51,358 (84%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 62 in Plano, down 127 points (67%).
Plano, 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 Plano and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 36% cheaper than Plano
Plano
$1,841/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,841 in Plano, so Lubbock is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $659/month back in your pocket ($7,908/year). Over five years that's $39,540 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
84% higher
Plano's median income is 84% higher than Lubbock
Plano
Winner$112,253
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 84% higher in Plano (about $51,358 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, Plano 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
67% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 67% lower than Lubbock
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% lower in Plano. 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, Plano 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
Plano weather is 9% more comfortable than Lubbock
Plano
Winner69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Plano sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Plano 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 84% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 67% lower than Lubbock (62 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 36% 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: Plano scores 75/100 versus 41/100 in Lubbock. Rent is $1,841/month in Plano and $1,182/month in Lubbock, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Lubbock rent at $1,182/month is still below Plano's $1,841, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,182 in Lubbock and $1,841 in Plano.
Between Plano and Lubbock, Plano is ahead on safety — 75/100 safety versus 41/100. Lean Lubbock instead when you already know the Lubbock block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
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