Moving from Renton, WA to Lubbock, TX
Cross-country relocations like Renton, WA β Lubbock, TX cover 1737 mi and about 32h 18m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1737 mi Β· 32h 18m by car Β· TX β NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 191, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Provo, West Jordan, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lubbock are 17.8% below Renton β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lubbock typical home at $209,436 is 17.8% under Renton at $764,375 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 19.4" |
Climate warms by 8.2Β°F on the annual average β 53.6Β°F β 61.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.48 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.8% between Renton and Lubbock (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.
Moving between Washington 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter 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.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 far is Lubbock, TX from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1737 mi and the route typically takes 32h 18m via I 84 and US 191. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lubbock compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $764,375 in Renton β a 72.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1737 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lubbock compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $96,626 in Renton β a 37.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 17.8% lower than Renton (91.317 vs 111.133, 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 Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Lubbock, TX.