Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Lubbock, TX
Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Lubbock, TX covers 315 mi and about 5h 30m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
315 mi Β· 5h 30m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 84, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lubbock are 11.4% below Fort Worth 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 11.4% under Fort Worth at $298,051 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 19.4" |
Lubbock is 5.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (67.5Β°F vs 61.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.48 |
Median household income in Lubbock is 11.4% below Fort Worth ($76,602 vs $60,487, 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 21.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 11.4% lower than Fort Worth (91.317 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 315 mi and the route typically takes 5h 30m via I 20 and US 84. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 29.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 315 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· Lubbock, TX.