2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Lubbock

Texas (TX)

Best for: Students, healthcare workers and families who want some of the cheapest housing and shortest commutes among large U.S. cities.

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability77.1/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population273,071

Median Home$190,000

Median Rent$1,030

Median Household Income$61,000

Cost of Living~90.0 (US=100; 2024 metro/region)

Average Commute16.7 min

Unemployment~3.8% metro (2026)

Metro AreaLubbock, TX

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

77.1overall

Housing & Financial Reality100.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living97.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability72.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity80.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness83.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place70.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion44.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape70.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging86.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment52.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture82.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity82.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionLow to moderate. Short commutes and manageable traffic are meaningful quality-of-life strengths.

Weekend EscapeGood to very good. Local parks and regional destinations provide useful escape options, though the strongest natural assets may require more driving.

WalkabilityAbout 29/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so neighborhood choice strongly affects everyday convenience.

Airport AccessGood for a city this size, though nonstop breadth is smaller than at the country's largest hubs.

Outdoor AccessGood to very good. Local parks and regional recreation provide regular outdoor options.

Healthcare AccessStrong. Major hospital systems provide practical emergency, primary and specialty care.

Air QualityA meaningful quality-of-life tradeoff. Ozone, particulate pollution, dust or wildfire smoke can create repeated unhealthy periods.

Third Places / Social LifeGood. Everyday social options are available, though the network of third places is less dense than in stronger cultural cities.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Stable

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Lubbock is the #83 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates and stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for affordability; extremely short commute; texas tech; healthcare; low congestion. The score balances housing, ease of living, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure. Its clearest tradeoffs are wind; heat; flat landscape; limited airport routes; car dependence.

REAL LIFE