Moving from Lubbock, TX to Denton, TX
Moving from Lubbock, TX to Denton, TX covers 312 mi and about 5h 45m 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.
312 mi Β· 5h 45m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 82, TX 114, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Lewisville, Frisco, Carrollton, Irving, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 91.317 in Lubbock to 103.09 in Denton, a 12.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Denton: 12.9% above Lubbock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lubbock | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 38.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Denton is 12.9% above Lubbock ($60,487 vs $73,719, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Denton average 96Β°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 far is Denton, TX from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 312 mi and the route typically takes 5h 45m via US 82 and TX 114. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Denton more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 12.9% higher than Lubbock (103.09 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $209,436 in Lubbock β a 69.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lubbock to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 312 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 Lubbock vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $60,487 in Lubbock β a 21.9% higher 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 Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX Β· Denton, TX.