Moving from Wilmington, NC to Amarillo, TX
Moving from Wilmington, NC to Amarillo, TX is a 1521 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 16m of driving through 9 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1521 mi Β· 27h 16m by car Β· TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Wilmington (96.422) and Amarillo (91.82) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Amarillo: 4.8% below Wilmington on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | β |
Amarillo is 7.5Β°F cooler on the annual average (64.4Β°F vs 56.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.56 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 North Carolina 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements 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 Wilmington vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 2.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1521 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 50.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 4.8% lower than Wilmington (91.82 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 1521 mi and the route typically takes 27h 16m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 9 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 Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Amarillo, TX.