Moving from Columbus, OH to Amarillo, TX
A move from Columbus, OH to Amarillo, TX covers 1175 mi and around 21h 8m of driving through 6 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.
1175 mi Β· 21h 8m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 70, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, St Louis, Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbus | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.469 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.523 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.945 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Amarillo and Columbus 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 Amarillo is 3.8% below Columbus ($206,787 vs $245,979 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Columbus -0.5%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbus | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Columbus (52.8Β°F) and Amarillo (56.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbus | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $65,327 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 33 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.1% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.56 |
Median household incomes in Columbus ($65,327) and Amarillo ($62,469) are within a few percent (ACS 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.
Moving between Ohio and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Amarillo, TX from Columbus, OH?
The driving distance is 1175 mi and the route typically takes 21h 8m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Columbus?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $245,979 in Columbus β a 15.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Columbus vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $65,327 in Columbus β a 4.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Columbus?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $47,970 in the Columbus MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 1,067,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Columbus?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 3.8% lower than Columbus (91.82 vs 95.469, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1175 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 Columbus.
City profiles: Columbus, OH Β· Amarillo, TX.