Moving from Huntsville, AL to Amarillo, TX
The drive from Huntsville, AL to Amarillo, TX runs 932 mi β about 16h 41m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
932 mi Β· 16h 41m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 55, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Huntsville (93.072) and Amarillo (91.82) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Amarillo: 1.3% below Huntsville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntsville | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | β |
Climate cools by 6.0Β°F on the annual average β 62.9Β°F β 56.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.56 |
Income steps down 1.3%: $70,778 in Huntsville vs $62,469 in Amarillo.
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 Alabama 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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 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
When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 932 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 Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $287,569 in Huntsville β a 28.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 932 mi and the route typically takes 16h 41m via I 40 and I 55. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 1.3% lower than Huntsville (91.82 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $70,778 in Huntsville β a 11.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 250,940 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 Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL Β· Amarillo, TX.