Moving from Billings, MT to Lubbock, TX
It is 1092 mi between Billings and Lubbock β roughly 19h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1092 mi Β· 19h 10m by car Β· TX β OK β CO β WY β MT
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO β WY β MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 87, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Amarillo, Aurora, Centennial, Denver, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Billings | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 19.4" |
Annual temperature rises 13.6Β°F moving to Lubbock per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.48 |
Households in Lubbock earn about 2.4% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Montana 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
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 (13.6Β°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
Is Lubbock more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 2.4% lower than Billings (91.317 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1092 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 Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $392,209 in Billings β a 46.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1092 mi and the route typically takes 19h 10m via US 87 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $71,855 in Billings β a 15.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT Β· Lubbock, TX.