Austin vs Lubbock
Cost of Living (2026)

Lubbock is 29% more affordable than Austin.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

Lubbock, TX

COL index78 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$780/mo ✓
Median home price$175K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexLubbock indexDifference
Housing144100 ✓-44%
Groceries10475 ✓-29%
Transportation10577 ✓-28%
Healthcare10776 ✓-31%
Utilities10479 ✓-25%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → Lubbock

What salary in Lubbock gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in LubbockDifference
$60,000$43,000$-17,000
$80,000$57,000$-23,000
$100,000$71,000$-29,000
$130,000$92,000$-38,000
$150,000$106,000$-44,000
$200,000$142,000$-58,000

Austin vs Lubbock: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Lubbock, TX, Lubbock comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 78 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 29%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $175,000 in Lubbock. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $780/month in Lubbock.

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