Cost of Living: San Diego, CA vs Lubbock, TX (2026)

San Diego

California
197
VS

Lubbock

Texas
75

San Diego is 163% more expensive than Lubbock.

$2,223/mo ↑ 96%
Median Rent
$1,137/mo ↓ 49%
$104,321/yr ↑ 72%
Median Income
$60,487/yr ↓ 42%
$848,500 ↑ 329%
Home Value
$197,900 ↓ 77%
$2,308/mo ↑ 96%
Owner Costs
$1,179/mo ↓ 49%
1,385,061
Population
261,078

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Lubbock, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 75 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,086/month cheaper in Lubbock, saving renters about $13,032/year.

Median household income is $43,834/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 compared to $197,900 in Lubbock.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Lubbock residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego vs Lubbock — common questions

Is San Diego or Lubbock cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lubbock is cheaper to live in with an index of 75 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Lubbock?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Lubbock it's $1,137/month — a difference of $1,086/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Lubbock?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $60,487 in Lubbock. Median household income is $43,834/year higher in San Diego.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Diego or Lubbock?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/mo, while Lubbock has a cost index of 75 with rent of $1,137/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Diego details → View Lubbock details →

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