Moving from Amarillo, TX to Houston, TX
Relocating 601 mi from Amarillo to Houston is a 10h 44m drive through 1 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.
601 mi Β· 10h 44m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 45, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Pasadena, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Houston runs about 7.4% more expensive overall than Amarillo β RPP 91.82 β 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $206,787 in Amarillo to $264,336 in Houston, a 7.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 54.1" |
Expect 13.7Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.51 |
Household income lines up β $62,469 vs $62,894 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.7Β°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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 0.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 601 mi and the route typically takes 10h 44m via US 287 and I 45. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 27.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 7.4% higher than Amarillo (98.629 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 601 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Houston, TX.