A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
14%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Lubbock Texas National
Cost of living9292100
Goods & Services9796100
Groceries9796100
Health care9194100
Housing8683100
Transportation9192100
Utilities90104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lubbock, TX

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Lubbock is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Lubbock is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

In Lubbock, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Lubbock will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Lubbock?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 15 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Lubbock. The results indicated that 60% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 40% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Lubbock Affordable?

Is Lubbock an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Lubbock, the median home price is 19.9% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 0.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Lubbock come in at $51,623, which is 6.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lubbock?

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Lubbock, the groceries index registers 3.1% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Lubbock, the transportation index is 9.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Lubbock displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lubbock is equal to the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Lubbock is 8% lower than the national average
  • Lubbock housing is 14% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Lubbock

See all the best places to live around Lubbock

Compare Lubbock, TX Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$79,070$6,589$1,845$2,372
      Renters$32,898$2,742$768$987
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Lubbock, TX, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Lubbock homeowners, is $79,070. This would allow for a maximum of $1,845 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $32,898 which would result in a maximum of $768 to be spent on rental costs.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Lubbock National avg. Difference
      Haircut $31.33$24.2629.1%
      Beauty Salon $55.26$45.5621.3%
      Toothpaste $3.68$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.28$1.280.3%
      Movie $12.18$12.130.4%
      Bowling $22.25$18.0023.6%

      Groceries

      Item Lubbock National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.58$5.844.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $4.87$4.931.3%
      Pizza $13.76$12.0913.8%
      Beer $10.37$10.410.4%

      Health Care

      Item Lubbock National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.03$125.682.7%
      Doctor $113.33$135.7816.5%
      Dentist $109.67$113.293.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.27$10.653.6%
      Lipitor $497.63$468.606.2%

      Housing

      Item Lubbock National avg. Difference
      Home Price $147,900.00$184,700.0019.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,909.05$2,346.6918.6%
      Apartment Rent $958.00$949.000.9%

      Transportation

      Item Lubbock National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.26$3.465.9%
      Tire Balancing $55.19$59.927.9%

      Utilities

      Item Lubbock National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $189.14$193.992.5%
      Phone $207.58$192.258.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      New Deal, TX1,0588218.2%
      Slaton, TX5,9538317.3%
      Idalou, TX1,8148713.4%
      Shallowater, TX2,573963.7%
      Wolfforth, TX5,1371000.2%
      Lubbock, TX257,013927.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Chandler, AZ257,07612727.4%
      Buffalo, NY255,8058614.5%
      Madison, WI258,36611514.8%
      Burnaby, BC258,827n/a 
      Scottsdale, AZ254,99513737.3%
      Lubbock, TX257,013927.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.