Skyline of Lubbock
Cost of Living: 88.5 263,930

Lubbock, TX, US

Hub City with Texas Tech, Buddy Holly, and the flattest terrain you'll ever see.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Lubbock is a city in TX with a population of 263,930. Hub City with Texas Tech, Buddy Holly, and the flattest terrain you’ll ever see. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 264 sunny days a year. The population skews young, with a median age of 30.4.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 88.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 76.8

Affordable

Median Income $50,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.4%

Job market health

Lubbock vs US Average

Cost of Living
Lubbock: 88.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Lubbock: 76.8
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 8.2%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $50,000
  • Unemployment: 3.4%
  • Population: 263,930

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 264/year
  • Summer High: 93°F
  • Winter Low: 26°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $195,000
  • 1BR Rent: $950/mo

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Cost of Living

Lubbock's cost of living index is 88.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryLubbockNational AverageDifference
Overall88.5100-11.5%
Housing76.8100-23.2%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$195,000
Median Rent (1BR)$950/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,188/mo
Price per Sq Ft$130

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Lubbock:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$115Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$88Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$16Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$55Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$364Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Lubbock scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 88.5
Rent
— $950
Sunny Days
— 264
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 3.4%
Climate
— 93°F / 26°F
Safety
— 5.2 homicides/100k
Population
— 263,930
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Lubbock has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January46°F26°F2.5"
April78°F41°F2.8"
July93°F68°F1.5"
October73°F44°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Lubbock faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Hurricane High Risk

Gulf Coast frequently affected by hurricanes.

Flood High Risk

Coastal flooding and flash floods.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 8.25%
  • Property Tax: ~1.93% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.4%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Lubbock per 100,000 residents:

821.0
Violent Crime
2,628.8
Property Crime
5.2
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

52/100
School Quality Score
Better than 57% of US cities
?
67
Total Schools
8.1:1
Student:Teacher
96.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Lubbock is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
2.7%
Black or African American
7.6%
Hispanic or Latino
36.7%
Native American
0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.1%
Other
0.2%
Two or more races
2.6%
White
49.9%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.9%
High school graduate
24.2%
Less than high school
10.8%
Some college
30.0%

Religion

Christian
70.0%
Jewish
1.0%
Muslim
1.0%
Other
4.0%
Unaffiliated
24.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lubbock, TX, US?

The cost of living index in Lubbock is 88.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Lubbock?

The median home price in Lubbock is $195,000. The housing index is 76.8.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lubbock is approximately $950/mo.

Does Lubbock, TX have income tax?

Lubbock is in TX, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Lubbock?

Lubbock enjoys approximately 264 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 93°F, while winter lows can drop to around 26°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.