Moving from Abilene, TX to Lubbock, TX
The 164 mi from Abilene to Lubbock translate to about 2h 55m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
164 mi · 2h 55m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, TX 207, SPUR 575 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Abilene (90.364) and Lubbock (91.317) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $210,016 vs $209,436 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 19.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.48 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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
When is the best time to move from Abilene 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 164 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 164 mi and the route typically takes 2h 55m via US 84 and TX 207. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 0.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 1.1% higher than Abilene (91.317 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 3.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Lubbock, TX.