Moving from Spokane, WA to Lubbock, TX
A 1630 mi cross-country move between Spokane and Lubbock is 28h 11m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1630 mi Β· 28h 11m by car Β· TX β OK β CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 87, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Amarillo, Aurora, Centennial, Denver, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane | Lubbock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 91.317 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 82.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 76.357 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Lubbock at 91.317 vs Spokane at 100.346.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $395,325 to $209,436 moving to Lubbock.
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Lubbock +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 19.4" |
Annual temperature rises 12.0Β°F moving to Lubbock per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, LUBBOCK WFO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Lubbock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 261,078 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $60,487 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.48 |
Households in Lubbock earn about 9.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 the job market in Lubbock compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 150,730 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lubbock more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lubbock is 9.0% lower than Spokane (91.317 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Lubbock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1630 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 Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $209,436 in Lubbock vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 47.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lubbock, TX from Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 1630 mi and the route typically takes 28h 11m via I 90 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Spokane vs Lubbock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,487 in Lubbock vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 8.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Lubbock, TX.