CountyScore

Lubbock County

Texas · TX

#232 in Texas
54.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Lubbock County, Texas

Lubbock County moderately exceeds national baseline

Lubbock County's composite score of 59.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by approximately 19%, demonstrating above-average but not exceptional livability. This modest advantage reflects mixed performance across measured dimensions.

Below Texas state livability average

Lubbock County scores 59.5, notably below the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Texas counties. The county ranks below typical performance for the state's 254 counties.

Moderate affordability supports residents

Lubbock County offers a cost score of 69.1 with median home values of $199,600 and rent averaging $1,134 per month, providing moderate housing accessibility. A median household income of $63,367 provides modest earning stability for residents.

Highest tax burden and limited income growth

The tax score of 58.3 reflects an effective tax rate of 1.563%, the highest in this county group, significantly reducing household disposable income. The income score of 24.8 suggests limited wealth-building potential, while safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable.

Practical option for budget-focused middle-income workers

Lubbock County appeals to middle-income workers and families seeking moderate housing costs despite higher taxes and limited income growth. It represents a pragmatic choice for those prioritizing community access and affordability over premium incomes or exceptional amenities.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax58.3Cost69.1SafetyComing SoonHealth58.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.8Risk3.8WaterComing Soon
🏛58.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Lubbock County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Broome County
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Median income: $61,059
Galveston County
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54.8
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Monterey County
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Median income: $94,486

Deep Dives

Lubbock County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lubbock County

via TaxByCounty

Lubbock County taxes among nation's highest

At 1.563% effective rate, Lubbock County ranks among the highest property tax counties nationally, well above the implied national median rate. The median annual tax of $3,119 exceeds the national median of $2,690 by about 16%.

Lubbock leads Texas counties in tax burden

Lubbock County's 1.563% rate is the highest among all counties reviewed here and significantly exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276%. The median tax of $3,119 surpasses the state median of $2,193 by roughly $926 annually.

Steepest taxes in West Texas

Lubbock County's 1.563% rate vastly exceeds Lynn County (1.734%), though both rank among the region's heaviest tax burdens. Combined with higher home values, Lubbock creates a significant property tax cost for residents.

What Lubbock County homeowners pay yearly

On a median home valued at $199,600, Lubbock County residents pay approximately $3,119 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage taxes, the total reaches roughly $3,822 per year.

High taxes make appeals especially worthwhile

With tax bills exceeding $3,100 annually, even a 5% overassessment error means leaving money on the table. Review your appraisal notice carefully and file a protest if comparable sales suggest your home is valued above market.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lubbock County

via CostByCounty

Lubbock's housing costs outpace incomes

Lubbock County renters spend 21.5% of household income on housing, exceeding national averages and ranking among America's more affordability-challenged counties. At $1,134/month rent with a $63,367 median income, renters here face substantially tighter budgets than typical U.S. households.

Lubbock pressures renters above Texas average

Lubbock's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average, marking it among the state's least affordable major counties. Rents run $171 above the Texas median, indicating strong demand pressure for a region with below-average household earnings.

Tightest squeeze alongside Live Oak

Lubbock's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio rivals Live Oak (21.1%) as the region's worst affordability and far exceeds Lipscomb (13.6%), Limestone (17.2%), and Llano (18.2%). This county's combination of elevated rents and modest incomes creates serious housing stress.

Mortgages exceed rents—homebuying escalates costs

Lubbock homeowners with median home value of $199,600 pay $1,223/month, exceeding renters by $89 and consuming roughly 23% of household income. Unlike most counties, Lubbock makes ownership more expensive than renting, complicating the traditional path to affordability.

Lubbock works best for above-average earners

If you're considering Lubbock, plan to earn significantly above the county median—this is one of the region's least affordable options for typical households. Tech workers, healthcare professionals, and remote employees with outside income will fare better than traditional job seekers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lubbock County

via IncomeByCounty

Lubbock trails the national median

Lubbock County's median household income of $63,367 falls 15% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier. The $11,388 annual shortfall reflects economic conditions in this West Texas metro area.

Below Texas average income

Lubbock's $63,367 median income trails Texas's state average of $64,737 by $1,370, ranking it slightly below the statewide norm. Per capita income of $35,170 edges the state average of $33,197, but household-level earnings lag the state.

Mid-pack in regional comparison

Lubbock outearns Live Oak ($53,869), Leon ($59,975), and Limestone ($58,109), but earns less than Liberty ($64,773), Llano ($65,636), and Lipscomb ($71,442). The county sits squarely in the middle of the eight-county cohort.

Highest rental burden in study

Lubbock's rent-to-income ratio of 21.5% is the second-highest among the eight counties, consuming over one-fifth of household income on rental housing. Median home values of $199,600 add pressure on homeowning households already stretched by modest incomes.

Reduce housing costs to save more

Lubbock residents should prioritize reducing housing burden—whether through refinancing, downsizing, or roommates—to free capital for retirement savings. Tech industry growth in West Texas offers emerging job opportunities; workers should upskill to capture higher-wage positions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lubbock County

via HealthByCounty

Lubbock County below national health average

Life expectancy in Lubbock County is 73.4 years, about 5.5 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Just over 21% report poor or fair health, above the national average of 18%, but better than many comparable Texas counties.

Below Texas average on longevity

Lubbock County's 73.4-year life expectancy trails the Texas average of 74.3 years by nearly one full year. The 21.1% poor/fair health rate sits slightly above state norms but reflects stronger performance than several peer counties.

Healthcare infrastructure stands out

Lubbock's 73.4-year life expectancy lags neighboring Llano (76.2 years) by 2.8 years but exceeds Leon (73.3 years) marginally. However, Lubbock's 16.3% uninsured rate is the lowest in its broader region, and its 222 mental health providers per 100,000 are unmatched.

Strong provider network and coverage

Lubbock County boasts 79 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an exceptional 222 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in the region. An uninsured rate of 16.3%, well below the state average of 19.8%, reflects stronger healthcare access.

Access Lubbock's robust health network

Lubbock County's excellent provider infrastructure is available to those with insurance—ensure you're not among the 16% uninsured. Contact Lubbock County Health Department or visit healthcare.gov to enroll in coverage and access these local resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lubbock County

via RiskByCounty

Lubbock County: Highest Risk Zone

Lubbock County scores 96.25 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively High rating and sitting 96% above the Texas state average of 49.00. This makes Lubbock one of the state's highest-risk counties, with exceptional exposure to tornadoes, floods, and wildfires.

Lubbock's Top-Tier Risk Ranking

Lubbock County's composite risk score of 96.25 places it among Texas's most dangerous counties for natural disaster exposure, with hazard scores dramatically exceeding the state average across nearly every category. The county faces complex, multi-directional disaster threats requiring serious preparedness.

Lubbock: The Region's High-Risk Outlier

Lubbock County (96.25) carries dramatically higher risk than all comparison counties, including Lipscomb County (27.89), Live Oak County (33.75), Leon County (58.30), and Llano County (70.39). Its risk level reflects the South Plains' severe weather geography and vulnerability to multiple hazard types.

Lubbock's Severe Multi-Hazard Profile

Tornado risk (98.79) is Lubbock County's most acute threat, with the county ranking at the highest exposure level statewide for storm-driven wind damage. Flood risk (92.11) and wildfire risk (86.20) create additional major threats, making Lubbock a complex disaster environment where residents face compounding seasonal hazards.

Critical Coverage for Lubbock Homes

Lubbock County residents must obtain comprehensive homeowners insurance with strong wind and hail coverage, plus separate flood insurance given the county's 92.11 flood risk. Consider additional wildfire coverage if near vegetation, and maintain an emergency preparedness plan for the county's exceptional tornado risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.