City comparison
No. Lubbock's crime index is 189 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 221 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,182 in Lubbock.
Safety is where St Louis and Lubbock split most clearly. Lubbock scores 163 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $997 in St Louis and $1,182 in Lubbock.
Lubbock is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. St Louis 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. St Louis at $997 average has pockets that run $797 and others at $1,397: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
St Louis and Lubbock are 738 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, up $185 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $60,895 in Lubbock, up $4,735 (8%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 189 in Lubbock, down 163 points (46%).
The move
Lubbock and St Louis are 738 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $997 a month in St Louis, down $185 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $56,160 in St Louis, down $4,735 (8%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 352 in St Louis, up 163 points (86%).
St Louis, MO
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 St Louis and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
16% cheaper
St Louis rent is 16% cheaper than Lubbock
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Lubbock
$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,182 in Lubbock, so St Louis is 16% 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 $2,220, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. St Louis still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Lubbock.
Planning to buy in Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Lubbock's median income is 8% higher than St Louis
St Louis
$56,160
Lubbock
Winner$60,895
Median household income is $60,895 in Lubbock versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Lubbock (about $4,735 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
46% lower crime
Lubbock's crime index is 46% lower than St Louis
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
Winner189 (100 = avg)
Lubbock's crime index is 189 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 46% 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. St Louis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
15% more comfortable
Lubbock weather is 15% more comfortable than St Louis
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Lubbock
Winner62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Lubbock scores 15% 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 St Louis 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 St Louis
St Louis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 16% cheaper here at about $997 a month. Choose St Louis 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 8% higher ($60,895), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Lubbock is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 46% lower than St Louis (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
Safety is the widest gap: Lubbock scores 41/100 versus 22/100 in St Louis. Rent is $1,182/month in Lubbock and $997/month in St Louis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
With only $185 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Weather averages land near 58°F in St Louis and 62°F in Lubbock.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Lubbock; St Louis only makes sense when you have walked the St Louis ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $997 rent.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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