Moving from Arlington, TX to Lubbock, TX
The 330 mi from Arlington to Lubbock translate to about 5h 43m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β 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.
330 mi Β· 5h 43m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 84, FM 157 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lubbock are 11.4% below Arlington β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lubbock typical home at $209,436 is 11.4% under Arlington at $310,971 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 19.4" |
Climate cools by 5.0Β°F on the annual average β 66.8Β°F β 61.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.48 |
Income steps down 11.4%: $73,519 in Arlington vs $60,487 in Lubbock.
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 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 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.
Frequently asked
Is Lubbock more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 11.4% lower than Arlington (91.317 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 330 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 17.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 330 mi and the route typically takes 5h 43m via I 20 and US 84. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 32.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Lubbock, TX.