Moving from El Paso, TX to Amarillo, TX
Moving from El Paso, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 408 mi and about 8h 9m 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.
408 mi · 8h 9m by car · TX → NM
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 70, US 60, US 70 TRUCK |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for El Paso (89.912) and Amarillo (91.82) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Amarillo ZHVI at $206,787 is 2.1% below El Paso at $234,775.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | — |
Amarillo is 9.3°F cooler on the annual average (66.2°F vs 56.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.56 |
Median household income in Amarillo is 2.1% above El Paso ($58,734 → $62,469, 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.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Amarillo average 92°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 El Paso vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 6.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Amarillo, TX from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 408 mi and the route typically takes 8h 9m via US 70 and US 60. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from El Paso to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 408 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Amarillo more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 2.1% higher than El Paso (91.82 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 11.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Amarillo, TX.