Moving from Allentown, PA to Amarillo, TX
Moving from Allentown, PA to Amarillo, TX is a 1620 mi cross-country relocation β about 29h 52m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1620 mi Β· 29h 52m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 44, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 99.968 to 91.82, putting Amarillo roughly 8.2% below Allentown on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Amarillo: 8.2% below Allentown on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allentown | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.56 |
Median household income in Amarillo is 8.2% above Allentown ($53,403 β $62,469, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Amarillo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,710 | $37,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,610 | $26,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,220 | $37,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,020 | $29,500 |
| Production Occupations | 9,370 | $39,900 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania 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
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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 Amarillo average 92Β°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 the job market in Amarillo compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 8.2% lower than Allentown (91.82 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1620 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 Amarillo compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $309,699 in Allentown β a 33.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 1620 mi and the route typically takes 29h 52m via I 70 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $53,403 in Allentown β a 17.0% higher 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 Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA Β· Amarillo, TX.