What it actually costs to live in Lubbock right now.

The numbers

Apartment List figures are medians on new leases. RentCafe figures are averages for large managed buildings. Property tax rates are per $100 of taxable value.

KCBD put the city’s increase at about $103 a year on the average home’s city tax bill. County commissioners said their proposed rate would mean about $27 less for the average homeowner; we have not confirmed the final county vote. The 2026–27 Lubbock ISD rate, the UMC hospital district rate and the High Plains water district rate are still being checked. Census 2025 ACS figures came out Oct 29, 2026 and will be added once checked.

The Texas Tech effect

Texas Tech enrolled 45,812 students this fall, up more than 3,859 from a year earlier. The university expected about 2,000 more students and got close to 4,000, leaving it about 1,000 beds short, and a new residence hall is not due until spring 2029. Students who missed out on campus beds are in off-campus housing the university supports.

• For renters, that helps explain why Lubbock’s median rent is up 2.2% while the state is down. Expect the most competition for units near campus, and for leases that start in August.
• Citibus is free on every fixed route for anyone with a TTU ID, which can stand in for a campus parking permit. Route 205 through campus started Sept 28, 2026.
• Lubbock is young: the city’s median age is 31.1 (2024 ACS).

Electricity: you choose a provider now

For decades Lubbock Power & Light sold power directly. The City Council voted in Oct 2023 to open the market, and since 2024 residents choose a retail electric provider while LP&L owns the poles and wires. Your bill has two parts: the retailer’s energy charge and LP&L’s delivery charge. In Sept 2026 LP&L restructured delivery, cutting the per-kWh charge from 6.3¢ to 6¢ and bringing back a $2.50 monthly base charge, which it said keeps delivery costs largely flat overall. Compare plans the same way you would in Dallas or Houston; see Texas electricity.

Neighborhood rents

Average rent across all unit sizes in large managed buildings, from RentCafe (as of Sep 30, 2026). The citywide average was $1,154, up 1.85% from a year earlier. Areas with only a few big complexes can swing a lot.

Out-of-date numbers you’ll still find online

Due to change on Nov 3, 2026

If you are buying in Lubbock-Cooper ISD, south of the city, the district adopted a rate a little under $1.20 per $100 that exceeds its voter-approval limit, so it goes to an election on Nov 3, 2026. The district says the average homeowner would pay about $144 more a year if it passes. We will update this page after the vote.

Same everywhere in Texas

No state income tax, the 8.25% sales tax ceiling, the $140,000 homestead exemption and vehicle fees are on Texas taxes and pay and the Texas overview. Insurance averages are on Texas insurance. Comparing Lubbock with Amarillo or the big metros? Use the city comparison, and see moving to Texas for first-month costs.

How we check

Every figure links to its source and shows the date it applies to. We prefer the agency that produces the number, and we label anything from a marketplace, aggregator or news report. Lubbock numbers due to change soon: the Lubbock-Cooper ISD election on Nov 3, 2026 and BEA’s 2025 price levels on Dec 10, 2026. Read the full methodology.