Moving from Springfield, IL to Amarillo, TX
It is 851 mi between Springfield and Amarillo β roughly 15h 10m 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.
851 mi Β· 15h 10m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 40, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Springfield and Amarillo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $163,198 in Springfield to $206,787 in Amarillo, a 1.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.9Β°F vs 56.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.56 |
Household income lines up β $65,537 vs $62,469 on 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 Illinois 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 851 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 Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 26.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 4.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 1.0% lower than Springfield (91.82 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 851 mi and the route typically takes 15h 10m via I 44 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Amarillo, TX.