Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Lubbock to Houston
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, comparing Lubbock, Texas and Houston, Texas reveals distinct trade-offs between population scale, household economics, and daily transit. Lubbock registers a population of 264,814 with a median household income of $60,895, a median gross rent of $1,182, and a median home value of $212,400, alongside an 18-minute commute. In contrast, Houston features a larger population of 2,328,253, a slightly higher median household income of $64,813, higher housing costs with a median gross rent of $1,361 and median home value of $277,800, and a longer 30-minute commute. Both cities share a uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250 per month and a 0.00% simplified state individual income-tax reference from the calculator. Neither city establishes neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality through citywide data.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → LubbockMoving from Lubbock to Houston
Median Rent Impact
+$179/mo
Moving to Houston costs ~$2,148 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+12 min / day
Difference of ~100 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTLUB → HOU
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$10,236after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Lubbock is about $2,148 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Lubbock household income$60,895
Houston household income$64,813
Lubbock gross rent$1,182
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Lubbock | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 264,814 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $60,895 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,182 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $212,400 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 18 minutes in Lubbock and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Population scale between Lubbock and Houston
- Median household income and housing costs
- Derived one-way commute time differences
- State tax references and non-housing baselines
What each city wins
Lubbock
Median rent consumes 23% of median income, below the 30% affordability benchmark.. Watch low rent-to-income ratio may be offset by high non-housing costs per model assumptions..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do the populations of Lubbock and Houston compare according to the 2024 ACS?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Lubbock has an estimated population of 264,814, while Houston is significantly larger with an estimated population of 2,328,253.
What are the housing and commute differences between Lubbock and Houston?
Lubbock features a median gross rent of $1,182 and a home value of $212,400 with an 18-minute commute. Houston shows higher costs with a $1,361 median gross rent, $277,800 home value, and a 30-minute commute.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.