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Lubbock

Texas · South Plains
No Income TaxDance: Developing4-SeasonBudget Cost
55
/ 100 match score

Lubbock is a university town anchored by Texas Tech. Frenship ISD suburbs are much safer than the city core. Extremely affordable. Good infrastructure for a remote worker who values maximum cost leverage above all else.

Match Score Breakdown
Cost of Living
20/20
Family Safety
2/20
State Tax Burden
10/10
Healthcare Quality
13/20
Dance Training
3/12
Musical Theater
2/8
Career / Remote
5/10
Financial Snapshot at $360K Income
State income tax
$0
Texas advantage
Est. after-tax income
$267,175
incl. FICA + federal
Annual living costs
$63,000
$54,000–$72,000 range
Annual surplus
+$204,175
King: 4.2×
FICA (7.65%)
$27,540/yr
Rent: 3BR family home
$1,200–$1,700/mo
Median SFH purchase
$240,000
Dance Training
Texas Tech has a dance program with community spillover. Lubbock Christian University also has dance. Pre-professional pipeline is essentially nonexistent — DFW required for serious training.
Healthcare
University Medical Center and Covenant Health both on-site. Texas Tech Health Sciences Center is a genuine academic medical center — better than expected for this size city.
Career & Remote Work
Texas Tech employment. Remote only for tech. Lubbock Preston Smith Airport has flights to DFW and Denver. AT&T Fiber available.
Musical Theater
Developing
Texas Tech School of Theatre and Dance attracts professional faculty to Lubbock and students willing to engage with the university community can access strong instruction. Local studio programs exist and are improving. However the competition circuit is limited and no youth MT conservatory of national standing operates here. Better than Midland but still limited for a serious pre-professional track.
Safety
Violent crime rate:700 per 100KSuburban Focus Required

US national average: ~370/100K. For cities with elevated rates, target specific suburban ISD neighborhoods — actual neighborhood crime is 40–60% below city average.

Internet Quality
Good500+ Mbps
AT&T Fiber and Suddenlink both serve Lubbock. Texas Tech proximity drives solid broadband investment in the core city.
Pros
  • +Among the cheapest cities on the entire Texas list
  • +Texas Tech University enrichment and culture
  • +Academic medical center quality healthcare
  • +Strong Frenship ISD suburb areas
  • +Maximum purchasing power at any income level
Cons
  • −High city crime rate — suburban selection essential
  • −Dance infrastructure very limited
  • −West Texas weather: wind, dust, occasional severe cold
  • −Isolated — far from any major metro
  • −Cultural and dining limitations significant
Quick Stats
School rating
7/10
Healthcare rating
7/10
Tech job market
fair
Remote friendly
Yes

Financial estimates: $360K gross income, FICA 7.65% + federal MFJ 2026 brackets ($30K standard deduction). Texas has no state income tax. Does not include property tax (TX rates 1.5–2.5% of assessed value, varies by county) or HOA. Actual liability varies — consult a CPA.