Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Amarillo, TX
Relocating 1083 mi from Los Angeles to Amarillo is a 18h 44m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1083 mi Β· 18h 44m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.1% moving from Los Angeles to Amarillo β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $952,183 in Los Angeles to $206,787 in Amarillo, a 19.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Los Angeles | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | β |
Expect 6.9Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.56 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.1% β $80,366 β $62,469 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 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 Los Angeles to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1083 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 19.1% lower than Los Angeles (91.82 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 1083 mi and the route typically takes 18h 44m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $80,366 in Los Angeles β a 22.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $952,183 in Los Angeles β a 78.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 6,185,570 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 Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA Β· Amarillo, TX.