Moving from Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Amarillo, TX
Relocating 1029 mi from Rancho Cucamonga to Amarillo is a 17h 39m 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.
1029 mi Β· 17h 39m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rancho Cucamonga | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Amarillo at 91.82 vs Rancho Cucamonga at 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $792,765 to $206,787 moving to Amarillo.
YoY change: Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rancho Cucamonga | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | β |
Expect 9.9Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rancho Cucamonga | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $109,511 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.8% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 3.01 | 2.56 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.7% β $109,511 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 the job market in Amarillo compare to Rancho Cucamonga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Rancho Cucamonga vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 43.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Rancho Cucamonga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 13.7% lower than Rancho Cucamonga (91.82 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Rancho Cucamonga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 73.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rancho Cucamonga to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1029 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Rancho Cucamonga, CA?
The driving distance is 1029 mi and the route typically takes 17h 39m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rancho Cucamonga.
City profiles: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Β· Amarillo, TX.