The cost of living in Lubbock, TX is low for a Texas city: a one-bedroom apartment rents for about $970 a month, and a single renter can budget roughly $2,100 to $3,500 a month in total. Apartment List puts the median Lubbock rent at $1,196 (October 2026), and Texas has no state income tax, which helps take-home pay.
Quick answer
- Median rent (October 2026): $1,196 overall, $970 for a 1-bedroom, $1,169 for a 2-bedroom (Apartment List).
- Single renter budget: roughly $2,100 to $3,500 a month including rent.
- Income to afford a typical 1-bedroom: about $39,000 a year at the 30% rent rule.
- Taxes: no state income tax, but sales tax is about 8.25% and property taxes in Texas are high for homeowners.
Cost of Living in Lubbock at a Glance
Lubbock is a university and agriculture hub in West Texas. Housing, groceries, fuel and services generally cost less than the national average, which is why many people move here for affordability. Texas Tech University drives rental demand near campus.
| Monthly item (single renter) | Estimated range |
|---|---|
| Rent (1- to 2-bedroom) | $970 – $1,169 |
| Utilities (electric, water, trash, gas) | $150 – $300 |
| Internet and phone | $100 – $160 |
| Groceries | $300 – $450 |
| Transportation (car, fuel, insurance) | $300 – $650 |
| Health care | $100 – $300 |
| Dining, entertainment, personal | $200 – $400 |
| Estimated total | $2,100 – $3,500 |
These are planning estimates built from rent reports and typical local bills, not exact prices. Your total depends mostly on rent and car costs.
Housing: Rent, Home Prices and Mortgage Costs
Median rents reported by Apartment List for October 2026 are $1,196 overall, $970 for a one-bedroom and $1,169 for a two-bedroom. Neighborhoods near Texas Tech, such as Tech Terrace and Overton, stay in demand with students, while South Lubbock is popular with families and has more single-family homes and newer complexes.
Redfin data shows a median home sale price around $250,000 (September 2026). Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are high, so a mortgage payment is only part of the cost of owning. Add property tax, insurance (including hail coverage) and maintenance when you compare buying with renting.
Use the 30% rule to test affordability: divide your target rent by 0.30 and multiply by 12. A $970 one-bedroom needs about $39,000 of gross income.
Monthly Utilities and Telecom Expenses
Plan on roughly $150 to $300 a month for electricity, water, trash and gas in a one-bedroom apartment, with the highest bills in July and August when air conditioning runs constantly. Lubbock’s weather has big swings, so winter heating can also push gas bills up.
- Electricity: Depending on your address, service comes from Lubbock Power & Light or a retail provider on the ERCOT grid, so compare plans.
- Water, sewer, trash: billed by the City of Lubbock, often $60 to $100 for a household.
- Internet: typically $50 to $80 a month.
- Phone: typically $40 to $90 per line.
Ask about budget billing to even out summer spikes.
Grocery Prices and Weekly Food Budget
Groceries in Lubbock typically cost $300 to $450 a month for one adult and about $900 to $1,300 for a family of four. Prices are at or slightly below the national average. Texas does not charge state sales tax on most unprepared groceries, which helps, while restaurant meals are taxed at the full local rate of about 8.25%.
H-E-B, United Supermarkets, Walmart and Aldi are the main places to shop. Buying staples in bulk and planning meals around weekly sales keeps the bill near the low end.
Healthcare Costs
Lubbock has a large medical presence through Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and several hospital systems. Your costs depend mostly on your employer plan, deductible and network rather than the city. If you buy your own insurance, compare plans on HealthCare.gov, and use preventive care that your plan covers at no cost.
Transportation: Fuel, Maintenance and Commute
Most residents drive. Lubbock is flat and spread out around the Marsha Sharp Freeway and Loop 289, so commutes are usually short compared with larger Texas metros. Fuel is typically cheaper than the national average, but car insurance, registration and maintenance still add up, often $300 to $650 a month for a car owner.
Citibus runs local bus routes and campus services, which can work for students and people living along main corridors. Check the Citibus website for current fares.
Goods and Services: Clothing, Entertainment and Personal Care
Everyday services such as haircuts, movie tickets, gym memberships and dry cleaning generally cost a bit less than in larger metros. Texas Tech sports, the Buddy Holly Center and local music venues give plenty of low-cost entertainment, and many outdoor and campus events are free.
- Budget $200 to $400 a month for dining out, entertainment and personal care.
- Gym memberships commonly run $25 to $50 a month.
- Check student, military and senior discounts for tickets and services.
Household Budgets by Family Type and Recommended Salaries
A single adult renting a one-bedroom apartment typically needs about $39,000 a year to keep rent at 30% of gross income, and more if you add a car payment, student loans or savings goals. Census Bureau data puts median household income in Lubbock well below the Texas average, partly because of the student population, so rents are modest relative to larger cities.
- Single renter: about $2,100 to $3,500 a month.
- Working couple: about $3,600 to $4,800 a month, sharing rent and utilities.
- Family with children: often $5,000 to $7,500 a month, depending on housing and childcare.
Moving to Lubbock: Budgeting Tips
- Compare rent by area. Tech Terrace and Overton cost more near campus, while other parts of the city are cheaper.
- Plan for summer power bills. Set aside extra for July and August or ask for budget billing.
- Check insurance. Renters insurance is cheap, and homeowners should price hail and wind coverage.
- Add move-in costs. Security deposits and utility deposits can total a month or two of rent.
- Compare other Texas cities. See our guides to the cost of living in El Paso, the cost of living in Corpus Christi, the cost of living in Oklahoma City and the cost of living in Fort Worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Lubbock, Texas per month?
A single renter can plan on roughly $2,100 to $3,500 a month including rent. Apartment List reports a median rent of $1,196 for October 2026, with utilities, groceries and fuel typically at or below national averages.
How much do you need to make to live in Lubbock?
To keep a $970 one-bedroom rent at 30% of gross income, a single adult needs about $39,000 a year. Texas has no state income tax, so take-home pay goes further than in many states.
Is Lubbock cheap to live in?
Yes, compared with most U.S. cities. Rent, groceries and fuel are generally lower than average, and there is no state income tax, but property taxes are high for homeowners and summer electricity bills can be large.
What is the average cost of living per month in Texas?
It depends heavily on the city. Austin and Dallas are considerably more expensive, while Lubbock is among the more affordable large Texas cities, with a single renter budget of roughly $2,100 to $3,500 a month.
Conclusion
Lubbock offers low rent, short commutes and no state income tax. Budget for summer electricity and car costs, compare neighborhoods near campus with the rest of the city, and keep rent near 30% of income.
Sources
- Apartment List: Lubbock rent report – median rents.
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lubbock – household income and demographics.
- Texas Comptroller: Sales tax – sales tax rules, including grocery exemptions.
- Redfin: Lubbock housing market – median sale price.
