Moving from Lubbock, TX to Houston, TX
A move from Lubbock, TX to Houston, 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
| Lubbock | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Houston is 8.0% higher than Lubbock, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Houston is 8.0% above Lubbock β $209,436 vs $264,336 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lubbock | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 54.1" |
Houston runs 8.8Β°F warmer on the annual average (61.8Β°F vs 70.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.51 |
Median household incomes in Lubbock ($60,487) and Houston ($62,894) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Houston, TX from Lubbock, 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 household income compare in Lubbock vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $60,487 in Lubbock β a 4.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $209,436 in Lubbock β a 26.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 8.0% higher than Lubbock (98.629 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 Houston?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX Β· Houston, TX.