Lubbock vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lubbock
Montgomery
The Verdict
Montgomery is 5.1% less expensive than Lubbock overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lubbock would need approximately $71,386 in Montgomery to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lubbock has the same purchasing power as $71,386 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $78,797 in Lubbock.
Living in Lubbock vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Lubbock's housing index of 59 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $162,000. The $13,000 difference in home prices means roughly $840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Lubbock compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in Lubbock and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in Lubbock vs $470/month in Montgomery. Lubbock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Lubbock and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Lubbock vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,041 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Lubbock, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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