Median rent is 17% lower in Lubbock ($1,182/mo vs $1,421/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lubbock, where the median home runs $212,400 versus $374,800. Households earn more in Fresno ($70,991 vs $60,895 a year). Taken together, Lubbock is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.0 against 91.9 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fresno, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Lubbock is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.0 in Lubbock vs 91.9 in Fresno (US national average = 100)
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
Lubbock, TX
How much would you need to earn in Lubbock, TX to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in Lubbock, TX
$74,295
You could earn $705 less (1% 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
Fresno
California
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 $1,421/mo in Fresno (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Fresno: the median home is $374,800 versus $212,400 in Lubbock — 43% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fresno
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 53.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Fresno if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,991/yr).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,182/mo median).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is Fresno cheaper than Lubbock?
Lubbock is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.0 versus 91.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Lubbock.
How much is rent in Fresno vs Lubbock?
Median rent is $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,182/mo in Lubbock, TX. Lubbock, TX has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Fresno or Lubbock?
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno, CA and $60,895 in Lubbock, TX. Fresno, CA 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 53.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fresno or Lubbock?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Lubbock to match my Fresno income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $99,059 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
