Moving from Lubbock, TX to El Paso, TX
It is a 340 mi drive, roughly 6h 23m, between Lubbock, TX and El Paso, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
340 mi · 6h 23m by car · TX → NM
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 62, US 180, US 385 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.5% above Lubbock — $209,436 → $234,775 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lubbock | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 8.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: El Paso gets around 2.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.8 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 the job market in El Paso compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is El Paso more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 1.5% lower than Lubbock (89.912 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 El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 340 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $209,436 in Lubbock — a 12.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is El Paso, TX from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 340 mi and the route typically takes 6h 23m via US 62 and US 180. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $60,487 in Lubbock — a 2.9% 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 Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX · El Paso, TX.