Median rent is 18% lower in Springfield ($964/mo vs $1,182/mo). Buying is cheaper in Springfield, where the median home runs $177,700 versus $212,400. Households earn more in Lubbock ($60,895 vs $49,311 a year). Taken together, Springfield is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 90.1 against 91.0 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Lubbock, TX.
Quick verdict
Springfield is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 90.1 in Springfield vs 91.0 in Lubbock (US average = 100)
City A
Lubbock, TX
City B
Springfield, MO
How much would you need to earn in Springfield, MO to maintain your standard of living from Lubbock, TX?
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$74,259
You could earn $741 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
Lubbock
Texas
Springfield
Missouri
👥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 rent is modestly lower in Springfield at $964/mo compared to $1,182/mo in Lubbock (18% gap). Median home values are within 16% of each other: $212,400 in Lubbock and $177,700 in Springfield.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Lubbock
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Springfield
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Lubbock has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 41.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize higher median household income ($60,895/yr).
Pick Springfield if you prioritize cheaper rent ($964/mo median).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is Lubbock cheaper than Springfield?
Springfield is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 90.1 versus 91.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Springfield.
How much is rent in Lubbock vs Springfield?
Median rent is $1,182/mo in Lubbock, TX and $964/mo in Springfield, MO. Springfield, MO has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Lubbock or Springfield?
Median household income is $60,895 in Lubbock, TX and $49,311 in Springfield, MO. Lubbock, 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?
Lubbock, TX has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 41.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Lubbock or Springfield?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Springfield to match my Lubbock income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Lubbock, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,012 in Springfield, MO (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
