Lubbock vs San Diego: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Lubbock, Texas compare to San Diego, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Lubbock is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 77% lower in Lubbock compared to San Diego, while rent is 47% lower. TX has no state income tax.
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | San Diego, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $181,600 | $783,300 | -76.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,093 | $2,080 | -47.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $58,734 | $98,657 | -40.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $33,259 | $51,368 | -35.3% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 13.3% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.2% | 8.7% | -5.5% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 258,190 | 1,383,987 | -81.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Lubbock
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — San Diego
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Lubbock costs $181,600 compared to $783,300 in San Diego — a 77% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,093/mo in Lubbock vs $2,080/mo in San Diego.
- Income: Median household income is $58,734 in Lubbock and $98,657 in San Diego.
- Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, while California has a 13.3% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).