Moving from Rialto, CA to Lubbock, TX
Relocating 1061 mi from Rialto to Lubbock is a 18h 38m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1061 mi Β· 18h 38m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 84, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.2% moving from Rialto to Lubbock β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $588,566 in Rialto to $209,436 in Lubbock, a 14.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rialto | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 19.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.6Β°F vs 61.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.48 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.2% β $85,521 β $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.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Lubbock average 93Β°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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1061 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $588,566 in Rialto β a 64.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 1061 mi and the route typically takes 18h 38m via I 40 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $85,521 in Rialto β a 29.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 14.2% lower than Rialto (91.317 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA Β· Lubbock, TX.