Moving from Lubbock, TX to West Palm Beach, FL
Moving from Lubbock, TX to West Palm Beach, FL is a 1587 mi cross-country relocation β about 28h 44m of driving through 5 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1587 mi Β· 28h 44m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 25.0% higher overall in West Palm Beach vs Lubbock on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in West Palm Beach: 25.0% above Lubbock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lubbock | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 61.7" |
West Palm Beach runs 14.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (61.8Β°F vs 75.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.37 |
Median household income in West Palm Beach is 25.0% above Lubbock ($60,487 β $69,261, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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 West Palm Beach average 90Β°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: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lubbock to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1587 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 1587 mi and the route typically takes 28h 44m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $60,487 in Lubbock β a 14.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 25.0% higher than Lubbock (114.155 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $209,436 in Lubbock β a 90.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX Β· West Palm Beach, FL.