Moving from Lubbock, TX to Austin, TX
The 370 mi from Lubbock to Austin translate to about 6h 46m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
370 mi · 6h 46m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, US 183, TX 153 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.4% pricier overall in Austin than Lubbock on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 7.4% above Lubbock at $209,436 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lubbock | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 36.3" |
Climate warms by 8.2°F on the annual average — 61.8°F → 70.0°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.2 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 7.4% between Lubbock and Austin (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Austin average 97°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
When is the best time to move from Lubbock to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 370 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Austin, TX from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 370 mi and the route typically takes 6h 46m 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 Austin compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $60,487 in Lubbock — a 51.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 7.4% higher than Lubbock (98.066 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $209,436 in Lubbock — a 142.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX · Austin, TX.