City comparison
No. Lubbock's crime index is 189 versus 233 in Stockton, 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 $1,577 in Stockton.
The income gap between Stockton and Lubbock is significant: $79,907 median household versus $60,895. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,577 in Stockton and $1,182 in Lubbock.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lubbock costs less and Stockton 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
Stockton and Lubbock are 1,128 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,577 a month in Stockton to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $395 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $79,907 in Stockton to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $19,012 (24%).
The crime index goes from 233 in Stockton to 189 in Lubbock, down 44 points (19%).
The move
Lubbock and Stockton are 1,128 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,577 a month in Stockton, up $395 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $79,907 in Stockton, up $19,012 (31%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 233 in Stockton, up 44 points (23%).
Stockton, CA
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 Stockton and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 25% cheaper than Stockton
Stockton
$1,577/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,577 in Stockton, so Lubbock is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $395/month back in your pocket ($4,740/year). Over five years that's $23,700 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 Stockton, 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
31% higher
Stockton's median income is 31% higher than Lubbock
Stockton
Winner$79,907
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $79,907 in Stockton versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 31% higher in Stockton (about $19,012 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, Stockton 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
19% lower crime
Lubbock's crime index is 19% lower than Stockton
Stockton
233 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
Winner189 (100 = avg)
Lubbock's crime index is 189 versus 233 in Stockton (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 19% 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. Stockton can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Stockton weather is 9% more comfortable than Lubbock
Stockton
Winner67°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Stockton averages about 67°F (78°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Stockton sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Stockton 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 31% higher ($79,907), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
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.
Lubbock is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 19% lower than Stockton (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Lubbock at $1,182/month versus $1,577 in Stockton ($395 apart). Stockton median income is $79,907 against $60,895 in Lubbock, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Lubbock rent at $1,182/month is still below Stockton's $1,577, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 34/100 in Stockton and 41/100 in Lubbock.
Lubbock clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Stockton deserves a serious look only when your $79,907 income offer in Stockton outweighs saving $395/month in Lubbock.
Common questions
Ready to move to Lubbock?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Lubbock when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Stockton and Lubbock, plus other cities in CA and TX.
