Median rent is 2% lower in Lubbock ($1,182/mo vs $1,208/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lubbock, where the median home runs $212,400 versus $215,400. Households earn more in Killeen ($60,977 vs $60,895 a year). Taken together, Lubbock is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.0 against 91.5 — about 1% lower overall prices.
Quick verdict
Lubbock is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 91.0 in Lubbock vs 91.5 in Killeen (US average = 100)
City A
Killeen, TX
City B
Lubbock, TX
How much would you need to earn in Lubbock, TX to maintain your standard of living from Killeen, TX?
Equivalent salary in Lubbock, TX
$74,611
You could earn $389 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Killeen
Texas
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,208/mo in Killeen and $1,182/mo in Lubbock. Median home values are within 1% of each other: $215,400 in Killeen 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.
Killeen
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Lubbock
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Lubbock (avg AQI 24.0) but not yet for Killeen.
Is Killeen cheaper than Lubbock?
Lubbock is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.0 versus 91.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Lubbock.
How much is rent in Killeen vs Lubbock?
Median rent is $1,208/mo in Killeen, TX and $1,182/mo in Lubbock, TX. Lubbock, TX has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Killeen or Lubbock?
Median household income is $60,977 in Killeen, TX and $60,895 in Lubbock, TX. Killeen, TX 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Killeen or Lubbock?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Lubbock to match my Killeen income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Killeen, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,481 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
