Median rent is 11% lower in Lubbock ($1,182/mo vs $1,331/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lubbock, where the median home runs $212,400 versus $229,600. Households earn more in Baltimore ($62,177 vs $60,895 a year). Taken together, Lubbock is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.0 against 103.2 — about 12% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Lubbock, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Lubbock is 12% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.0 in Lubbock vs 103.2 in Baltimore (US national average = 100)
City A
Baltimore, MD
City B
Lubbock, TX
How much would you need to earn in Lubbock, TX to maintain your standard of living from Baltimore, MD?
Equivalent salary in Lubbock, TX
$66,137
You could earn $8,863 less (12% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Baltimore
Maryland
Lubbock
Texas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Lubbock at $1,182/mo compared to $1,331/mo in Baltimore (11% gap). Median home values are within 7% of each other: $229,600 in Baltimore and $212,400 in Lubbock.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Baltimore
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Lubbock
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Baltimore averages 25.0 AQI (Good) and Lubbock averages 24.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.0 vs 103.2).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,182/mo median).
Is Baltimore cheaper than Lubbock?
Lubbock is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.0 versus 103.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 12% lower in Lubbock.
How much is rent in Baltimore vs Lubbock?
Median rent is $1,331/mo in Baltimore, MD and $1,182/mo in Lubbock, TX. Lubbock, TX has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Baltimore or Lubbock?
Median household income is $62,177 in Baltimore, MD and $60,895 in Lubbock, TX. Baltimore, MD has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Lubbock, TX has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 25.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Baltimore or Lubbock?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Lubbock to match my Baltimore income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Baltimore, MD is equivalent to roughly $88,182 in Lubbock, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
