Moving from Amarillo, TX to Salt Lake City, UT
A move from Amarillo, TX to Salt Lake City, UT covers 935 mi and around 16h 42m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
935 mi Β· 16h 42m by car Β· UT β WY β CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | UT β WY β CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 287, US 385 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Salt Lake City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.9% pricier overall in Salt Lake City than Amarillo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Salt Lake City typical home at $573,181 is 9.9% above Amarillo at $206,787 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Salt Lake City +1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 17.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.9Β°F vs 55.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Salt Lake City sees 49.0 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 203,888 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $74,925 |
| Median age | 35 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Salt Lake City is 9.9% above Amarillo ($62,469 β $74,925, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salt Lake City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Salt Lake City averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Salt Lake City average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Salt Lake City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 935 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Salt Lake City compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Salt Lake City compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,181 in Salt Lake City vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 177.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Salt Lake City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 19.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Salt Lake City, UT from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 935 mi and the route typically takes 16h 42m via I 80 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salt Lake City is 9.9% higher than Amarillo (100.868 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Salt Lake City, UT.