Moving from San Antonio, TX to Lubbock, TX
Relocating between San Antonio, TX and Lubbock, TX is a 382 mi drive — 6h 45m 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.
382 mi · 6h 45m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, I 10, US 87 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 94.716 vs 91.317 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 around 3.6% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 19.4" |
Expect 7.2°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.48 |
Median household incomes in San Antonio ($62,917) and Lubbock ($60,487) are within a few percent (ACS 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 household income compare in San Antonio vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 3.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 16.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lubbock more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 3.6% lower than San Antonio (91.317 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lubbock, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 382 mi and the route typically takes 6h 45m via US 84 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 382 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Lubbock, TX.