Lubbock, TX vs McAllen, TX

McAllen is moderately more affordable than Lubbock, with a 9.7% lower cost of living index. Lubbock scores 83 compared to 75 for McAllen, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lubbock can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lubbock is $1,137/month compared to $1,017/month in McAllen — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McAllen is more affordable at $173,800 median vs $197,900.

Median household income in Lubbock is $60,487 compared to $60,165 in McAllen (+0.5%). Lubbock does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Lubbock spend roughly 22.6% of their income on rent, more than the 20.3% in McAllen.

Climate-wise, McAllen is notably warmer with an average of 77.4°F compared to 61.4°F in Lubbock. McAllen receives more rainfall at 22.2" per year compared to 18.3" in Lubbock.