CostIndexUSA

Lubbock, TX vs Tempe, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Lubbock
91.3
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
AZ
Tempe
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Lubbock is moderately cheaper than Tempe — 13.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lubbock, you would need $90,500 in Tempe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+58.6%
Lubbock
76.4
Tempe
121.2
🛒 Groceries+1.3%
Lubbock
93.8
Tempe
95
🚗 Transportation+8.0%
Lubbock
101.1
Tempe
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+8.1%
Lubbock
91.4
Tempe
98.8
Utilities+12.7%
Lubbock
82.8
Tempe
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tempe, AZ
$90,500
$10,500 more needed in Tempe

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 91.3) = salary × 1.1314. 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×

Tempe, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Tempe has 58.6% 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

Tempe, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
185,038
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareRetailFinance

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)

Tempe, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.