Moving from Amarillo, TX to Norman, OK
Moving from Amarillo, TX to Norman, OK covers 281 mi and about 5h 5m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
281 mi · 5h 5m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Norman and Amarillo is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Norman is 1.5% above Amarillo — $206,787 vs $262,839 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Amarillo | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | — | 37.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Amarillo (56.9°F) and Norman (60.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Norman averages 4.1 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 35 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.5 |
Median household incomes in Amarillo ($62,469) and Norman ($65,060) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Norman average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Norman more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 1.5% lower than Amarillo (90.408 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $206,787 in Amarillo — a 27.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $62,469 in Amarillo — a 4.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Norman, OK from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 281 mi and the route typically takes 5h 5m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 281 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Norman, OK.