Houston vs Lubbock
Cost of Living (2026)

Lubbock is 14% more affordable than Houston.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Houston, TX

COL index91
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo
Median home price$290K
VS

Lubbock, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexLubbock indexDifference
Housing118100 ✓-18%
Groceries8775 ✓-12%
Transportation8877 ✓-11%
Healthcare8876 ✓-12%
Utilities8979 ✓-10%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Lubbock

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in LubbockDifference
$60,000$51,000$-9,000
$80,000$69,000$-11,000
$100,000$86,000$-14,000
$130,000$111,000$-19,000
$150,000$129,000$-21,000
$200,000$171,000$-29,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Lubbock, TX, Lubbock comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 78 versus 91 for Houston — a difference of approximately 14%.

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 Houston is $290,000, compared to $175,000 in Lubbock. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $780/month in Lubbock.

Houston vs San Antonio →Houston vs Dallas →Houston vs Austin →Houston vs Fort Worth →Houston vs El Paso →Houston vs Arlington →