Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Amarillo, TX
It is 1656 mi and 30h 16m from Miami Gardens to Amarillo β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1656 mi Β· 30h 16m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Denton, Lewisville, Frisco, Carrollton, Fort Worth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.6% cheaper overall in Amarillo than Miami Gardens on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | β |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.1Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.56 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Florida 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (19.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 55.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 1656 mi and the route typically takes 30h 16m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1656 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 19.6% lower than Miami Gardens (91.82 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 2.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Amarillo, TX.