Moving from Houston, TX to Lubbock, TX
A move from Houston, TX to Lubbock, TX covers 533 mi and around 9h 42m of driving through 1 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
533 mi Β· 9h 42m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, US 183, TX 71 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, Austin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lubbock are 7.4% below Houston 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 7.4% under Houston at $264,336 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 19.4" |
Lubbock is 8.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (70.6Β°F vs 61.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.48 |
Household income lines up β $62,894 vs $60,487 on 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
Is Lubbock more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 7.4% lower than Houston (91.317 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 533 mi and the route typically takes 9h 42m via US 84 and US 183. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $264,336 in Houston β a 20.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 533 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $62,894 in Houston β a 3.8% 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Lubbock, TX.