Moving from Lubbock, TX to College Station, TX
The 447 mi from Lubbock to College Station translate to about 8h 9m 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.
447 mi · 8h 9m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, US 183, TX 6 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
College Station and Lubbock are close on the overall BEA RPP (91.317 vs 90.951); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: College Station typical home at $349,041 is 0.4% above Lubbock at $209,436 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lubbock | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 41.8" |
Climate warms by 7.6°F on the annual average — 61.8°F → 69.4°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.74 |
Income steps down 0.4%: $60,487 in Lubbock vs $51,776 in College Station.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
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 College Station average 95°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 much do homes cost in College Station compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $209,436 in Lubbock — a 66.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $60,487 in Lubbock — a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is College Station, TX from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 447 mi and the route typically takes 8h 9m 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 College Station compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is College Station more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 0.4% lower than Lubbock (90.951 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lubbock to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 447 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX · College Station, TX.