Moving from Dallas, TX to Lubbock, TX
It is a 349 mi drive, roughly 6h 8m, between Dallas, TX and Lubbock, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
349 mi Β· 6h 8m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 84, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | 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 |
Expect about 11.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Lubbock at 91.317 vs Dallas at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $309,421 to $209,436 moving to Lubbock.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dallas | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 19.4" |
Annual temperature drops 6.2Β°F moving to Lubbock per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.48 |
Households in Lubbock earn about 11.4% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 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
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $309,421 in Dallas β a 32.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $67,760 in Dallas β a 10.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 11.4% lower than Dallas (91.317 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas 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 far is Lubbock, TX from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 349 mi and the route typically takes 6h 8m via I 20 and US 84. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 349 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX Β· Lubbock, TX.