Moving from Oakland, CA to Amarillo, TX
It is 1354 mi between Oakland and Amarillo β roughly 23h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1354 mi Β· 23h 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 5, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.6% cheaper overall price level β 115.613 β 91.82 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oakland | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 72Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.56 |
Amarillo households earn about 20.6% less than Oakland at the median β $97,369 β $62,469 on 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 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
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $97,369 in Oakland β a 35.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1354 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 20.6% lower than Oakland (91.82 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 1354 mi and the route typically takes 23h 44m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $716,248 in Oakland β a 71.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA Β· Amarillo, TX.