Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
El Paso and Lubbock have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. El Paso has a housing index of 69 while Lubbock sits at 59 (national average = 100). The median home in El Paso costs $185,000 compared to $175,000 in Lubbock, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in El Paso versus $950 in Lubbock.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: El Paso scores 95 while Lubbock scores 93.
Healthcare costs in El Paso (89) are lower than Lubbock (90).
Median household income in El Paso is $47,568 compared to $49,834 in Lubbock. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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