City Report · TX

Lubbock

Pop. 264,814·212th most expensive in Texas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,380/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.5%
Month-over-Month
-1.5%
vs US Median
-$582
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lubbock · $1,380
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Lubbock's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,380/mo
Expected by trend
$1,446/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lubbock's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$827
1 BR
$998
2 BR
$1,183
3 BR
$1,646
4 BR+
$1,932
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,183/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,380 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,560/yr
At $1,380/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 0.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.5% YoY, -1.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lubbock, TX is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 35.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
264,814
Median income
$60,895
Median age
30.5
Renters
48.8%
Age distribution
22.9%
33.4%
21.7%
12.8%
Under 1822.9%
18–3433.4%
35–5421.7%
55–649.2%
65+12.8%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
61.1%
36.6%
White61.1%
Black8.5%
Hispanic36.6%
Asian2.8%
Education (25+)
24.7%
29.6%
35.1%
No HS diploma10.6%
HS diploma24.7%
Some college29.6%
Bachelor's+35.1%
Housing tenure
51.2%
48.8%
Owner51.2%
Renter48.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Lubbock, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,188 → $1,380
up 16.2%
Income
$54,060 → $60,895
up 12.6%
Population
255,537 → 264,814
up 3.6%
Renter share
48.9% → 48.8%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
33.9% → 35.1%
+1.2 pts
Median age
29.8 → 30.5
+0.7 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Lubbock, TX has climbed by $192 per month, settling near $1,380 after starting the period at $1,188. On the earnings side, the typical household in Lubbock, TX now reports about $60,895, up from $54,060 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 3.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 255,537 to 264,814 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.6% change. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Lubbock, TX reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Lubbock rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lubbock on your salary?

At $1,380/mo, how Lubbock rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lubbock rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lubbock. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lubbock

About renting in Lubbock, TX

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Lubbock is $1,380/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $827/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,183/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $998/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,646/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($60,895/yr), Lubbock ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lubbock an affordable city for renters?

Lubbock is considered affordable for renters. At $1,380/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($60,895/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lubbock falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lubbock?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,380/mo in Lubbock. The local median household income is $60,895/yr, meaning the typical Lubbock household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lubbock?

Rent in Lubbock has increased 0.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Lubbock neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lubbock are 79415 ($945/mo), 79401 ($983/mo), and 79411 ($1,039/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lubbock is $1,380/mo.

How does Lubbock rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Lubbock is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #212 out of 267 tracked cities at $1,380/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lubbock?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lubbock ($1,380/mo): Portales ($975/mo), Big Spring ($1,233/mo), Clovis ($1,272/mo).

What percentage of Lubbock residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.8% of Lubbock households are renters, while 51.2% are owner-occupied. Lubbock leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lubbock rent compare to the national average?

Lubbock's median rent of $1,380/mo is $582 (30%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #212 out of 267 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,380/mo, rent takes ~27% of Lubbock's median household income ($60,895/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lubbock 27%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Lubbock affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Lubbock, TX

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