El Paso wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Lubbock vs El Paso (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Lubbock buys roughly what $59,259 does in El Paso (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$506/yr
Favoring Lubbock for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $42/mo in Lubbock, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Lubbock Texas | El Paso Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $800Better | $850 | Lubbock wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Lubbock |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,000Better | $1,050 | Lubbock wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Lubbock |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,300Better | $1,400 | Lubbock wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Lubbock |
| Median home price | $210KBetter | $215K | Lubbock wins +$5K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 91Better | 91 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $11 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Better | $46 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $38Better | $40 | Lubbock wins +$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $2.98Better | $3.00 | Lubbock wins +$0.02 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $162Better | $162 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $172Better | $175 | Lubbock wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $60 | Lubbock wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $48KBetter | $48K | — | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 8.3% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $12.00Better | $13.00 | Lubbock wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Better | $32 | Lubbock wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $4.50Better | $5.00 | Lubbock wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81 | 80Better | El Paso wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 24 | 28Wins | El Paso wins +4 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
El Paso fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in El Paso.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lubbock cheaper than El Paso?
No. El Paso is 1% cheaper than Lubbock based on overall cost of living indices (80 vs 81, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Lubbock vs El Paso?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Lubbock is $1,000/month and in El Paso is $1,050/month. Lubbock is cheaper by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in El Paso to match a $75,000 salary in Lubbock?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,074/year in El Paso to match a $75,000 salary in Lubbock. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Lubbock or El Paso?
El Paso has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. El Paso has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Lubbock to El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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