Moving from Midland, TX to Lubbock, TX
Relocating between Midland, TX and Lubbock, TX is a 119 mi drive — 2h 7m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
119 mi · 2h 7m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 87, TX 349, I 27 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Midland and Lubbock sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $328,325 in Midland to $209,436 in Lubbock, a 4.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 19.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.0°F vs 61.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.48 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.7% — $91,169 → $60,487 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lubbock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,380 | $36,350 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 18,440 | $26,700 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,850 | $30,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,440 | $35,210 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 11,550 | $59,240 |
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 Lubbock average 93°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 does the job market in Lubbock compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 114,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Midland vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $91,169 in Midland — a 33.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $328,325 in Midland — a 36.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 119 mi and the route typically takes 2h 7m via US 87 and TX 349. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 4.7% lower than Midland (91.317 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Midland to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 119 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · Lubbock, TX.