City Comparison

Lubbock vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lubbock

Texas
83
Very Affordable
$175,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$49,834
Median Income

McKinney

Texas
112
Above Average
$472,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$124,200
Median Income

The Verdict

25.9%

Living in Lubbock costs 25.9% less than McKinney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lubbock, you would need $101,205 in McKinney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
59
Lubbock
140
McKinney
Groceries
93
Lubbock
97
McKinney
Utilities
96
Lubbock
113
McKinney
Transportation
97
Lubbock
85
McKinney
Healthcare
90
Lubbock
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lubbock has the same purchasing power as $101,205 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $55,580 in Lubbock.

Living in Lubbock vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Lubbock's housing index of 59 is lower McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $472,000. The $297,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,308 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Lubbock compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 93 in Lubbock and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in Lubbock vs $461/month in McKinney. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Lubbock and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Lubbock vs $452 in McKinney. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Lubbock and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 39-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,834 in Lubbock and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,041 and $110,893 respectively. McKinney residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,163/month to housing in Lubbock vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Lubbock, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lubbock is 25.9% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Lubbock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $101,205 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Lubbock's housing index is 59 with median homes at $175,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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