Moving from Denton, TX to Lubbock, TX
Moving from Denton, TX to Lubbock, TX covers 312 mi and about 5h 45m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
312 mi Β· 5h 45m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 82, TX 114, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Lewisville, Frisco, Carrollton, Irving, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denton | 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 |
RPP moves from 103.09 to 91.317, putting Lubbock roughly 11.4% below Denton on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Lubbock: 11.4% below Denton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 19.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 31 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.48 |
Median household income in Lubbock is 11.4% below Denton ($73,719 β $60,487, 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 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 Denton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $354,135 in Denton β a 40.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Denton vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $73,719 in Denton β a 17.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton 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.
When is the best time to move from Denton to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 312 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 312 mi and the route typically takes 5h 45m via US 82 and TX 114. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Denton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 11.4% lower than Denton (91.317 vs 103.09, 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 Denton.
City profiles: Denton, TX Β· Lubbock, TX.