CostIndexUSA

Lubbock, TX vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Lubbock
91.3
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is slightly cheaper than Lubbock — 3.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lubbock, you would need $76,800 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing23.8%
Lubbock
76.4
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Lubbock
93.8
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Lubbock
101.1
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Lubbock
91.4
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities+1.9%
Lubbock
82.8
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$76,800
$3,200 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 91.3) = salary × 0.9606. 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×

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
58.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Lubbock has 23.8% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

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

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Household Income
$58,200
Per Capita Income
$33,200
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
99,543
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingAutomotiveGovernment

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)

Tuscaloosa, AL
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.