Lubbock, TX Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Lubbock, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Lubbock →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Lubbock, Texas is home to roughly 258,190 residents. The typical household here earns $58,734 a year — below the median we track across cities (-19%).
Anyone weighing a move to Lubbock should know the median home value is $181,600, below the multi-city median (-44%), and median rent runs $1,093 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
Buying a typical home in Lubbock would take about 3.1 years of median household income, a comparatively affordable multiple by our tracked standards. Home prices near Lubbock have risen a steady 1.29% over the past year — measured growth, not a spike. Natural-hazard exposure in Lubbock is rated Relatively High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,093/mo in Lubbock would take 22.3% of your income.
$375/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($181,600) would take 19.8% of your income toward principal & interest.
$401/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Lubbock
Median home value is $181,600 and median gross rent is $1,093/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Lubbock rose 1.29% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,175/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Lubbock's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Lubbock reported a violent crime rate of 700 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Lubbock
Planning a move to Lubbock? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Lubbock, TX?
- Cost of living in Lubbock centers on housing: median home value runs $181,600, median rent runs $1,093/month, and the typical household earns $58,734 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lubbock?
- A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $1,093/month in Lubbock, that implies an income of about $43,720 to keep housing affordable. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Lubbock.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Lubbock?
- With a median home value of $181,600 and median rent of $1,093/month, renting comfortably in Lubbock takes about $43,720/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $41,549/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Lubbock safe?
- FBI data puts Lubbock's violent crime rate at 700 per 100,000 residents for 2025 — a useful benchmark alongside other cities you're weighing.
See the full salary breakdown for Lubbock →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Lubbock's.