Moving from El Paso, TX to Lubbock, TX
It is a 340 mi drive, roughly 6h 23m, between El Paso, TX and Lubbock, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
340 mi · 6h 23m by car · TX → NM
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 62, US 180, US 385 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 89.912 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 1.6% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 19.4" |
Annual average temperatures in El Paso (66.2°F) and Lubbock (61.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.48 |
Median household incomes in El Paso ($58,734) 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 El Paso vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 3.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lubbock, TX from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 340 mi and the route typically takes 6h 23m via US 62 and US 180. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lubbock more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 1.6% higher than El Paso (91.317 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 340 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 10.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Lubbock, TX.