Median rent is 5% lower in Oklahoma City ($1,083/mo vs $1,137/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lubbock, where the median home runs $197,900 versus $215,100. Households earn more in Oklahoma City ($66,702 vs $60,487 a year). Taken together, Lubbock is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.2 against 91.4 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oklahoma City, OK.
City A
Lubbock, TX
City B
Oklahoma City, OK
How much would you need to earn in Oklahoma City, OK to maintain your standard of living from Lubbock, TX?
Equivalent salary in Oklahoma City, OK
$75,109
You'd need $109 more (0% higher).
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
Lubbock
Texas
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
👥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: $1,137/mo in Lubbock and $1,083/mo in Oklahoma City. Median home values are within 8% of each other: $197,900 in Lubbock and $215,100 in Oklahoma City.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Oklahoma tops out at 4.75% — giving Lubbock a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 4.50% in Oklahoma; Oklahoma City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Lubbock
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Oklahoma City
Income tax: 4.75%
Sales tax: 4.50%
Lubbock has cleaner air on average: 0.0 AQI (Good) compared to 51.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize higher median household income ($66,702/yr).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 0.0).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Lubbock cheaper than Oklahoma City?
Lubbock is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.2 versus 91.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Lubbock.
How much is rent in Lubbock vs Oklahoma City?
Median rent is $1,137/mo in Lubbock, TX and $1,083/mo in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma City, OK has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Lubbock or Oklahoma City?
Median household income is $60,487 in Lubbock, TX and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma City, OK 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: 0.0 AQI versus 51.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Lubbock or Oklahoma City?
Texas has no state income tax. Oklahoma has a top rate of 4.75%.
What salary do I need in Oklahoma City to match my Lubbock income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Lubbock, TX is equivalent to roughly $100,146 in Oklahoma City, OK (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology