CostIndexUSA

Lubbock, TX vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Lubbock
91.3
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Lubbock is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 14.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lubbock, you would need $91,200 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+42.0%
Lubbock
76.4
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Lubbock
93.8
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.2%
Lubbock
101.1
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
Lubbock
91.4
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+83.9%
Lubbock
82.8
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$91,200
$11,200 more needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 91.3) = salary × 1.1402. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lubbock, TX

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

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Modesto has 42.0% higher housing costs compared to Lubbock.

Income & Job Market

Lubbock, TX

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

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Lubbock, TX
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.