Lubbock vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Lubbock is 21% less expensive than Arlington.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Lubbock, TX

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

Arlington, TX

COL index94
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,280/mo
Median home price$310K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLubbock indexArlington indexDifference
Housing100122+22%
Groceries7589+14%
Transportation7791+14%
Healthcare7691+15%
Utilities7991+12%

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

Salary equivalency: LubbockArlington

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

Salary in LubbockEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$72,000+$12,000
$80,000$96,000+$16,000
$100,000$121,000+$21,000
$130,000$157,000+$27,000
$150,000$181,000+$31,000
$200,000$241,000+$41,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Lubbock, TX and Arlington, TX, Lubbock comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 78 versus 94 for Arlington — a difference of approximately 21%.

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 Lubbock is $175,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $780/month in Lubbock versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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