Median rent is 18% lower in Lubbock ($1,182/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lubbock, where the median home runs $212,400 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $60,895 a year). Taken together, Lubbock is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.0 against 102.5 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Lubbock is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.0 in Lubbock vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Lubbock, TX
How much would you need to earn in Lubbock, TX to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Lubbock, TX
$66,587
You could earn $8,413 less (11% 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
Chicago
Illinois
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 $1,440/mo in Chicago (18% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $212,400 in Lubbock — 36% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Lubbock
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Lubbock
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Lubbock has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.0 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,182/mo median).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Lubbock is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.0 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Lubbock.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,182/mo in Lubbock, TX. Lubbock, TX has the lower rent by about 18%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $60,895 in Lubbock, TX. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Lubbock, TX has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $88,783 in Lubbock, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
