Moving from Aurora, CO to Lubbock, TX
The drive from Aurora, CO to Lubbock, TX runs 531 mi β about 9h 54m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
531 mi Β· 9h 54m by car Β· CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 27, US 385 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lubbock are 13.7% below Aurora β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lubbock typical home at $209,436 is 13.7% under Aurora at $463,081 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 19.4" |
Climate warms by 11.0Β°F on the annual average β 50.8Β°F β 61.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.48 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.7% between Aurora and Lubbock (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lubbock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,380 | $36,350 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 18,440 | $26,700 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,850 | $30,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,440 | $35,210 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 11,550 | $59,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Lubbock average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 13.7% lower than Aurora (91.317 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 531 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 54.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 28.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 531 mi and the route typically takes 9h 54m via US 287 and I 27. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Lubbock, TX.