City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 189 in Lubbock, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 221, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
The income gap between Raleigh and Lubbock is significant: $85,395 median household versus $60,895. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,182 in Lubbock.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lubbock costs less and Raleigh pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Raleigh and Lubbock are 1,325 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $390 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $24,500 (29%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 189 in Lubbock, up 47 points (33%).
The move
Lubbock and Raleigh are 1,325 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $390 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $24,500 (40%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 142 in Raleigh, down 47 points (25%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 25% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Lubbock is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $390/month back in your pocket ($4,680/year). Over five years that's $23,400 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 Raleigh, 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
40% higher
Raleigh's median income is 40% higher than Lubbock
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 40% higher in Raleigh (about $24,500 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, Raleigh 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
25% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 25% lower than Lubbock
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% lower in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh 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
7% more comfortable
Lubbock weather is 7% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Lubbock
Winner62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Lubbock scores 7% 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 Raleigh 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 and professional growth
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 40% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 25% lower than Lubbock (142 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
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 25% 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 Raleigh on this page's weather index by 7%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but Lubbock is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Raleigh at $85,395 median income versus $60,895 in Lubbock. Housing ($1,182 in Lubbock, $1,572 in Raleigh) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
Raleigh still pays more locally ($85,395 median income vs $60,895), which can offset the lease if your field pays Raleigh rates.
Safety scores read 49/100 in Raleigh and 41/100 in Lubbock.
Raleigh clears the bar on local pay in this dataset. Lubbock deserves a serious look only when keeping rent near $1,182/month beats chasing $85,395 median income.
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