CostIndexUSA

Lubbock, TX vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Lubbock
91.3
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is moderately cheaper than Lubbock — 5.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lubbock, you would need $75,300 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.8%
Lubbock
76.4
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lubbock
93.8
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Lubbock
101.1
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Lubbock
91.4
McAllen
91.4
Utilities1.9%
Lubbock
82.8
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 91.3) = salary × 0.9409. 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×

McAllen, TX

Median Home Price
$188,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
55.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

Lubbock has 26.8% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

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

McAllen, TX

Median Household Income
$53,700
Per Capita Income
$30,600
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
142,212
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareRetailGovernmentEducation

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)

McAllen, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.