Moving from Amarillo, TX to Glendale, CA
It is 1071 mi between Amarillo and Glendale β roughly 18h 31m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1071 mi Β· 18h 31m 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, I 15, CA 210 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Glendale is 23.7% above Amarillo β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
23.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 16.5" |
Annual temperature rises 7.6Β°F moving to Glendale per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Glendale β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 35 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.63 |
Glendale households earn about 23.7% more than Amarillo at the median β $62,469 β $84,262 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- 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
How far is Glendale, CA from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 1071 mi and the route typically takes 18h 31m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Glendale more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 23.7% higher than Amarillo (113.566 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1071 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 34.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 481.2% 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· Glendale, CA.