The Moving Guide to Lubbock, Texas: Home Buying, Electricity, and More

Lubbock, Texas, has a population of more than 260,000, and it’s expected to grow well beyond that in the next decade. SmartAsset, ranked Lubbock as one of the top 20 cities attracting millennials in 2019. What is it that’s drawing people to Lubbock, TX? And are there any downsides that you should know about before you relocate there?  

Here’s our moving guide to Lubbock, Texas, including what to expect when getting a job, buying a new house, and choosing an electricity provider. 

Why Are People Moving to Lubbock, TX? 

People are moving to Texas in general, but especially to small and mid-sized cities like Lubbock. They’re attracted to its strong economy, affordable real estate, and the mix of small-town charm and big-city life.  

The majority of new residents come from elsewhere in the state of Texas, including the Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio metro areas. But Lubbock also attracts people from Arizona, California, New York, and Hawaii.  

The state of Texas as a whole has already surpassed 30 million residents. Its selling points include moderate weather, a low cost of living, and no state income tax. 

Is Lubbock a Good Place to Move To? 

That depends on where you’re moving from and what you hope to get out of moving to a new city. Compared to other Texas cities, Lubbock has a low cost of living and a low unemployment rate, so it may offer more opportunities for employment.  

You’ll also experience less traffic and easy access to nature, without the urban density of metropolitan areas like Dallas and Houston.  

If you’re starting a small business, Lubbock offers low startup costs and easy access to the Preston Smith International Airport for shipping products or going on business trips.  

When it comes to education, the Lubbock Independent School District oversees the City of Lubbock’s elementary and high schools. Lubbock is also a major college town, home to Texas Tech University, Lubbock Christian University, and more. Its robust educational opportunities make it a popular choice for young adults and families. 

A Moving Guide to Lubbock, Texas: Why Should You Move to Lubbock? 

There are several reasons you may want to move to Lubbock, Texas. You can move to Lubbock to attend college or start a new career in one of its many industries, including healthcare, technology, and agriculture.  

In addition to Texas Tech University (TTU), Lubbock is home to the South Plains College Truck Driving Training Program, the Lubbock Coding Academy, and other educational institutions.  

While you could retire in Lubbock, the city has a median age of 31, so it’s more popular with younger adults. Families may want to consider moving to Lubbock because home prices in West Texas are lower than the national average.  

Looking for a checklist? Read our moving checklist. 

What Is There to Do in Lubbock, TX? 

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Lubbock is known as “Hub City” because it’s an economic and cultural center of the West Texas region. Most moving guides to Lubbock, Texas, mention its vibrant nightlife. Although Lubbock’s live music scene isn’t as famous as Austin’s, it still offers plenty of entertainment throughout the week and major music festivals each year.  

Other attractions include the Adventure Park amusement park, the Rawls Course golf course, and sporting events at TTU and other venues.  

There are also several museums, including the Museum of Texas Tech, the Buddy Holly Center, the National Ranching Heritage Center, and the Silent Wings Museum. 

What Are the Cons of Moving to Lubbock? 

Despite its appeal, moving to Lubbock isn’t for everyone, and there are some reasons why you may want to consider another city instead.  

Although Lubbock is relatively small and easy to get around, you’ll probably need a car. Lubbock doesn’t have an extensive public transportation network. Citibus covers most of the downtown area but has limited hours on evenings and weekends.  

Lubbock is also known for its variable climate. Temperatures can be unpredictable, with freezing winters and summertime highs reaching over 100°F. Lubbock occasionally has dust storms that could cause symptoms for people with breathing issues.  

Lubbock, TX also has a high crime rate — 43.59 per 1,000 residents — although the risk is much higher in the eastern part of the city than in the west. 

Is It Expensive to Live in Lubbock, Texas? 

While it’s not the cheapest city to live in Texas, many moving guides to Lubbock, Texas, indicate that it’s more affordable than many other cities in the U.S. According to Payscale, the overall cost of living is 10% less than the national average, and housing costs are 16% less than the national average.  

The median home price in Lubbock is $376,963, the median rent is $1,146 per month, and the average energy bill is $159.49 per month. A gallon of milk costs $2.22, bread costs $3.54 for a loaf, and gas is a reasonable $2.95 per gallon. 

How Much Do You Need to Make to Live in Lubbock? 

An important piece of a moving guide to Lubbock, Texas, is cost of living. According to the most recent census data, the median household income in Lubbock is $56,529, and the per capita income is $30,876.  

The MIT Living Wage calculator estimates that a living wage in Lubbock for one adult with no children is $15.36, and for two adults with two children, it’s $22.07.  

The minimum wage in Texas is $7.25 per hour, so you’ll need to earn significantly more than that to live comfortably in Lubbock. However, if you’re moving from an area with a high cost of living, you may find that your money goes further in your new home. 

How Much Do Moving Companies Cost in Lubbock, TX? 

The cost of movers in Lubbock depends on where you’re moving from. HireAHelper reports that the average moving company costs $414 for a two-hour move with two movers. After two hours, you can expect to pay $120–$145 per hour.  

Of course, that’s for a local move. If you’re moving from another part of Texas or from another state, you can expect higher moving costs.  

Pods Moving & Storage estimates that a full-service move between Texas and California costs $2,200 to $4,632. Using a moving pod may be a little cheaper — up to $2,890 — while doing it yourself in a rental truck is the most affordable option: between $1,142 and $1,763, according to Pods. 

When Is the Best Time to Move to Lubbock, Texas? 

HireAHelper claims that the best month to move to Lubbock is December, and the best day of the week to move is on a Sunday. This is when moving companies are the least busy, so you can expect lower prices and less stress.  

However, keep in mind that December is the middle of winter in Lubbock, and winter emergencies are a frequent occurrence in Texas. If it’s your first time moving to Lubbock, you may want to choose another time of year to reduce the risk of delays. 

Is Lubbock, Texas, Dry or Humid? 

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The climate in Lubbock is “semi-arid,” and the city doesn’t get much rain: only about 19 inches per year, and mostly in the spring and summer. Although summers do get hot, it doesn’t experience the same humidity as other parts of Texas.  

If you’re moving from somewhere like Houston, you may find Lubbock to be cooler than you’re used to, especially in the mornings. It also comes in third in the rankings for the top 10 windiest cities in the U.S.  

The combination of wind and dust means that Lubbock residents experience colorful sunsets that seem to turn the whole sky red. 

Where Does Lubbock Get Its Electricity? 

Until recently, Lubbock had a single supplier of electricity, Lubbock Power & Light, which produced electricity at three local power plants. It also bought additional electricity from the Southwest Power Pool, but it wasn’t connected to the Texas power grid.  

Beginning in 2021, LP&L began switching customers over to the main Texas grid run by ERCOT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Customers will soon be able to choose from multiple electricity suppliers rather than being limited to one utility company. 

What Does Electricity Deregulation Mean for Lubbock? 

Deregulation means that multiple retail energy providers are allowed to market energy plans to consumers. Although a public utility company is still in charge of transmission and delivery, customers have more flexibility when it comes to energy plans.  

For example, customers may be able to choose from fixed-rate or variable pricing, opt in to a green energy plan, or get free electricity on nights and weekends. Consider exploring Lubbock electricity rates from Just Energy. 

Most of Texas already has a deregulated electricity market, but some parts of the state, including Austin, El Paso, and most of the Panhandle, do not. The Lubbock electricity market will be fully deregulated by the end of 2023. 

How Much Energy Does Lubbock Get from Wind? 

Wind energy isn’t a new phenomenon in Lubbock. In fact, Lubbock has a long history of harnessing its abundant wind energy for power.  

The American Wind Power Center just outside downtown Lubbock features nearly 200 historic windmills, most of which were used to pump water. It also has a 660-kilowatt Vestas Wind Turbine that’s used to generate power for the entire center.  

Currently, Texas gets nearly a third of its energy from wind power, making it the largest generator of wind power out of all the U.S. states. 

How Do You Choose an Energy Plan in Lubbock, TX? 

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Until mid-2023, Lubbock residents will continue to get their energy from Lubbock Power & Light. By the end of 2023, the city will have transitioned to the main Texas grid and a deregulated energy market with more energy plans to choose from.  

To find the right energy plan for you, you’ll need to estimate your average energy usage, find out how much each plan costs per kilowatt hour, and consider other factors, such as the length of the contract and any early termination fees.  

You may also have the option of choosing a renewable energy plan, so you can power your energy home with wind or solar energy. 

Brought to you by justenergy.com

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