Moving from Little Rock, AR to Lubbock, TX
Relocating 616 mi from Little Rock to Lubbock is a 11h 18m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
616 mi Β· 11h 18m by car Β· TX β AR
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 82, TX 114, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Little Rock to Lubbock β $216,519 vs $209,436 (2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 19.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 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.
Moving between Arkansas and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 0.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 616 mi and the route typically takes 11h 18m via US 82 and TX 114. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 2.2% higher than Little Rock (91.317 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 616 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 3.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR Β· Lubbock, TX.