Moving from Norman, OK to Amarillo, TX
Moving from Norman, OK to Amarillo, TX covers 281 mi and about 5h 5m 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.
281 mi · 5h 5m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norman | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Amarillo and Norman is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Amarillo is 1.6% below Norman — $262,839 vs $206,787 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Norman +2.0%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norman | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 37.7" | — |
Annual average temperatures in Norman (60.7°F) and Amarillo (56.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORMAN 3SSE, OK US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norman | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $65,060 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.56 |
Median household incomes in Norman ($65,060) 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 Oklahoma 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Amarillo, TX from Norman, OK?
The driving distance is 281 mi and the route typically takes 5h 5m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Norman 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 281 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Norman?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $44,030 in the Norman MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Norman?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $262,839 in Norman — a 21.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Norman vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $65,060 in Norman — a 4.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Norman?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 1.6% higher than Norman (91.82 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norman.
City profiles: Norman, OK · Amarillo, TX.