City comparison
Yes. St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 189 in Lubbock, and its violent crime index is 160 versus 221, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,281 in St Paul.
Climate is the sharpest divide between St Paul and Lubbock. St Paul averages 50°F while Lubbock averages 62°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,281 versus $1,182.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lubbock costs less and St Paul 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.
Weather is the one thing you cannot negotiate with. Visit St Paul in its coldest stretch before you sign anything.
The move
St Paul and Lubbock are 913 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $99 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $12,499 (17%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 189 in Lubbock, up 23 points (14%).
The move
Lubbock and St Paul are 913 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,281 a month in St Paul, up $99 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $73,394 in St Paul, up $12,499 (21%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 166 in St Paul, down 23 points (12%).
St Paul, MN
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 Paul and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 8% cheaper than St Paul
St Paul
$1,281/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,281 in St Paul, so Lubbock is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $99, or $1,188 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
21% higher
St Paul's median income is 21% higher than Lubbock
St Paul
Winner$73,394
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $73,394 in St Paul versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 21% higher in St Paul (about $12,499 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, St Paul 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
12% lower crime
St Paul's crime index is 12% lower than Lubbock
St Paul
Winner166 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in St Paul. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in St Paul, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Lubbock. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
59% more comfortable
Lubbock weather is 59% more comfortable than St Paul
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Lubbock
Winner62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Lubbock scores 59% 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 Paul 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
St Paul is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 21% higher here ($73,394). Start with St Paul if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
St Paul is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Lubbock (166 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 8% 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 St Paul on this page's weather index by 59%. St Paul may pay more or cost less, but Lubbock is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
St Paul (50°F) and Lubbock (62°F) are not interchangeable on climate — about 12°F apart on typical temperatures. Rent ($1,281 vs $1,182) and pay ($73,394 vs $60,895) still matter, yet most movers regret ignoring the forecast row.
Lubbock rent at $1,182/month is still below St Paul's $1,281, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 45/100 in St Paul and 41/100 in Lubbock.
St Paul clears the bar on climate in this dataset. Lubbock deserves a serious look only when you would rather tolerate 62°F than optimize for St Paul's comfort score.
Common questions
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