Moving from Portland, OR to Lubbock, TX
It is 1678 mi and 31h 4m from Portland to Lubbock β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1678 mi Β· 31h 4m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β CO β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β CO β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.4% moving from Portland to Lubbock β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $534,638 in Portland to $209,436 in Lubbock, a 13.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 19.4" |
Expect 7.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.48 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.4% β $88,792 β $60,487 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between Oregon 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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 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 Portland vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $88,792 in Portland β a 31.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $534,638 in Portland β a 60.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 13.4% lower than Portland (91.317 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 1678 mi and the route typically takes 31h 4m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1678 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 Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Lubbock, TX.