Moving from Lubbock, TX to Odessa, TX
It is a 136 mi drive, roughly 2h 26m, between Lubbock, TX and Odessa, 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.
136 mi · 2h 26m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 87, TX 349, TX 191 |
| Major cities en route | Midland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 91.317 vs 93.896 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $209,436 to $251,239 moving to Odessa.
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lubbock | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 12.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Lubbock (61.8°F) and Odessa (64.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Odessa gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.54 |
Odessa households earn about 2.8% more than Lubbock at the median — $60,487 → $73,030 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
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 Odessa average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 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
When is the best time to move from Lubbock to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 136 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Odessa more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 2.8% higher than Lubbock (93.896 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 76,440 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 Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $60,487 in Lubbock — a 20.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $209,436 in Lubbock — a 20.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Odessa, TX from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 136 mi and the route typically takes 2h 26m via US 87 and TX 349. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX · Odessa, TX.