CostIndexUSA

Austin, TX vs Lubbock, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Austin
98.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Lubbock
91.3
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Lubbock is moderately cheaper than Austin — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Austin, you would need $74,500 in Lubbock. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing36.5%
Austin
120.4
Lubbock
76.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Austin
93.8
Lubbock
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Austin
101.1
Lubbock
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Austin
91.4
Lubbock
91.4
Utilities+1.0%
Austin
82
Lubbock
82.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Austin to see what you'd need to earn in Lubbock to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lubbock, TX
$74,500
$5,500 less needed in Lubbock

Formula: salary × (91.3 ÷ 98.1) = salary × 0.9307. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
120.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.6×

Lubbock, TX

Median Home Price
$206,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
76.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.7×

Austin has 36.5% lower housing costs compared to Lubbock.

Income & Job Market

Austin, TX

Median Household Income
$98,500
Per Capita Income
$56,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
978,908
Top Industries
TechnologyGovernmentHealthcareEducationEntertainment

Lubbock, TX

Median Household Income
$57,100
Per Capita Income
$32,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
258,862
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareAgricultureManufacturingGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Austin, TX
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Lubbock, TX
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.