Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Amarillo, TX
It is 1601 mi and 29h 18m from West Palm Beach to Amarillo β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1601 mi Β· 29h 18m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Denton, Frisco, Lewisville, Fort Worth, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Expect about 19.6% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Amarillo at 91.82 vs West Palm Beach at 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 19.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $399,471 to $206,787 moving to Amarillo.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | β |
Expect 18.9Β°F colder on average per year β plan for heating load and winter gear.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.56 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 19.6% lower in Amarillo than West Palm Beach.
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 Florida 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (18.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 far is Amarillo, TX from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1601 mi and the route typically takes 29h 18m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 9.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 48.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1601 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Amarillo more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 19.6% lower than West Palm Beach (91.82 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 2,721,490 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 West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Amarillo, TX.