Moving from Amarillo, TX to Clovis, CA
Relocating 1200 mi from Amarillo to Clovis is a 20h 59m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1200 mi Β· 20h 59m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, Lancaster, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 11.3% above Amarillo β 91.82 β 102.158 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.3% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 11.0" |
Expect 8.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Clovis β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 35 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.99 |
Expect median household income to rise 11.3% β $62,469 β $100,360 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clovis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Clovis average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Clovis sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1200 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Clovis more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 11.3% higher than Amarillo (102.158 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 60.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clovis, CA from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 1200 mi and the route typically takes 20h 59m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 152.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Clovis, CA.