Cost of Living: Lubbock, TX vs Arlington, VA (2026)

Lubbock

Texas
75
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Lubbock is 63% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,137/mo ↓ 50%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 100%
$60,487/yr ↓ 57%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 132%
$197,900 ↓ 77%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 337%
$1,179/mo ↓ 51%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 105%
261,078
Population
235,463

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lubbock, TX and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 75 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,138/month cheaper in Lubbock, saving renters about $13,656/year.

Median household income is $79,673/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lubbock is $197,900 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Lubbock residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lubbock vs Arlington — common questions

Is Lubbock or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lubbock is cheaper to live in with an index of 75 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lubbock and Arlington?
Median rent in Lubbock is $1,137/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $1,138/month.
Which city has higher income, Lubbock or Arlington?
Median household income is $60,487 in Lubbock and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $79,673/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Lubbock or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Lubbock has a cost index of 75 with median rent of $1,137/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lubbock details → View Arlington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Lubbock and Arlington

Lubbock vs. Fort Wayne Lubbock vs. St. Petersburg Lubbock vs. Toledo Lubbock vs. Laredo Lubbock vs. Reno Lubbock vs. Irving Arlington vs. Boise Arlington vs. Norfolk Arlington vs. Scottsdale Arlington vs. Enterprise Arlington vs. Garland Arlington vs. Spokane