CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Lubbock, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Lubbock
91.3
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Lubbock is moderately cheaper than Detroit — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $72,800 in Lubbock. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing19.3%
Detroit
94.7
Lubbock
76.4
🛒 Groceries5.1%
Detroit
98.8
Lubbock
93.8
🚗 Transportation6.1%
Detroit
107.7
Lubbock
101.1
🏥 Healthcare6.3%
Detroit
97.5
Lubbock
91.4
Utilities22.6%
Detroit
107
Lubbock
82.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lubbock, TX
$72,800
$7,200 less needed in Lubbock

Formula: salary × (91.3 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.9103. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Lubbock, TX

Median Home Price
$206,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
76.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.7×

Detroit has 19.3% lower housing costs compared to Lubbock.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

Lubbock, TX

Median Household Income
$57,100
Per Capita Income
$32,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
258,862
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareAgricultureManufacturingGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Lubbock, TX
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.