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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Lubbock

Texas
75

San Jose is 239% more expensive than Lubbock.

$2,617/mo ↑ 130%
Median Rent
$1,137/mo ↓ 57%
$141,565/yr ↑ 134%
Median Income
$60,487/yr ↓ 57%
$1,187,800 ↑ 500%
Home Value
$197,900 ↓ 83%
$2,775/mo ↑ 135%
Owner Costs
$1,179/mo ↓ 58%
990,054
Population
261,078

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Lubbock, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 75 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,480/month cheaper in Lubbock, saving renters about $17,760/year.

Median household income is $81,078/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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 Jose vs Lubbock — common questions

Is San Jose or Lubbock cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lubbock is cheaper to live in with an index of 75 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Lubbock?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Lubbock it's $1,137/month — a difference of $1,480/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Lubbock?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $60,487 in Lubbock. Median household income is $81,078/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Lubbock?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Lubbock details →

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