Moving from Arlington, TX to Amarillo, TX
It is a 351 mi drive, roughly 6h 24m, between Arlington, TX and Amarillo, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
351 mi Β· 6h 24m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, US 81, I 820 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Amarillo at 91.82 vs Arlington at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $310,971 to $206,787 moving to Amarillo.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | β |
Annual temperature drops 9.9Β°F moving to Amarillo per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.56 |
Households in Amarillo earn about 10.9% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Amarillo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,710 | $37,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,610 | $26,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,220 | $37,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,020 | $29,500 |
| Production Occupations | 9,370 | $39,900 |
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 Amarillo average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Arlington vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 15.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 10.9% lower than Arlington (91.82 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 351 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 33.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 351 mi and the route typically takes 6h 24m via US 287 and US 81. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Amarillo, TX.