The Lubbock metro is home to 354,782 people (up 13.3% over five years), with a median household income of $62,288. Typical rent of $1,330/month works out to 25.6% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Lubbock's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 28.7% |
| Retail trade | 12.3% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.8% |
| Professional & management | 8.2% |
| Construction | 7.1% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 25.6% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Lubbock market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,330/month suggests a household income around $53,000/year. The metro's median household income is $62,288.
By workforce share: Education & health care (28.7%), Retail trade (12.3%), Arts, food & hospitality (9.8%) (Census ACS 5-year).