Moving from Amarillo, TX to Arvada, CO
Moving from Amarillo, TX to Arvada, CO covers 445 mi and about 8h 16m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
445 mi Β· 8h 16m by car Β· TX β NM β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 87, US 385 |
| Major cities en route | Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Centennial, Aurora, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Arvada is 15.2% higher than Amarillo, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Arvada is 15.2% above Amarillo β $206,787 vs $616,566 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 17.1" |
Arvada is 6.6Β°F cooler on the annual average (56.9Β°F vs 50.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Arvada averages 75.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 35 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Arvada is 15.2% above Amarillo ($62,469 vs $113,396, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Arvada averages 75.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 198.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 81.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Arvada, CO from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 445 mi and the route typically takes 8h 16m via I 25 and US 87. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Arvada more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 15.2% higher than Amarillo (105.782 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 445 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Arvada, CO.