Moving from San Francisco, CA to Amarillo, TX
A move from San Francisco, CA to Amarillo, TX covers 1418 mi and around 25h 32m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1418 mi Β· 25h 32m 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 | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | 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 |
Overall prices in Amarillo come in 20.6% under San Francisco β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Amarillo typical home at $206,787 is 20.6% under San Francisco at $1,356,662 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.2Β°F vs 56.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.56 |
Median household income in Amarillo is 20.6% below San Francisco ($141,446 vs $62,469, ACS 5-year 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 San Francisco vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 55.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Amarillo more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 20.6% lower than San Francisco (91.82 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Amarillo, TX from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 1418 mi and the route typically takes 25h 32m 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 San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco 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.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1418 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 84.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Amarillo, TX.