Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Amarillo, TX
Relocating 1071 mi from Santa Ana to Amarillo is a 18h 29m 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.
1071 mi Β· 18h 29m 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 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Anaheim |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.1% cheaper overall in Amarillo than Santa Ana on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | β |
Expect 9.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.56 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.1% β $88,354 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
- 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
Is Amarillo more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 19.1% lower than Santa Ana (91.82 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1071 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 29.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 76.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 1071 mi and the route typically takes 18h 29m 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Amarillo, TX.