Moving from Amarillo, TX to Mobile, AL
The drive from Amarillo, TX to Mobile, AL runs 950 mi β about 17h 35m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
950 mi Β· 17h 35m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 287, US 49 |
| Major cities en route | Denton, Frisco, Lewisville, Carrollton, Fort Worth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Mobile and Amarillo is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Mobile is 4.1% below Amarillo ($194,564 vs $206,787 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 60.5" |
Climate warms by 12.2Β°F on the annual average β 56.9Β°F β 69.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 35 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.39 |
Income steps down 4.1%: $62,469 in Amarillo vs $51,090 in Mobile.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Mobile average 92Β°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: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Mobile more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 4.1% lower than Amarillo (88.098 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 5.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Mobile, AL from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 950 mi and the route typically takes 17h 35m via I 20 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 18.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 950 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· Mobile, AL.