Lubbock vs Morgantown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lubbock
Morgantown
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.8%, with Lubbock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lubbock has equivalent purchasing power to $81,325 in Morgantown.
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 $81,325 in Morgantown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $69,167 in Lubbock.
Living in Lubbock vs Morgantown
Housing Costs
Lubbock's housing index of 59 is lower Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $259,000. The $84,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,460 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Lubbock compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in Lubbock and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in Lubbock vs $451/month in Morgantown. 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 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Lubbock vs $364 in Morgantown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Lubbock and 88 in Morgantown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,834 in Lubbock and $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,041 and $49,667 respectively. Lubbock residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,163/month to housing in Lubbock vs $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Lubbock, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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