Moving from Amarillo, TX to Irvine, CA
A move from Amarillo, TX to Irvine, CA covers 1069 mi and around 18h 31m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1069 mi Β· 18h 31m 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 | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Irvine | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 23.7% higher overall in Irvine vs Amarillo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Irvine: 23.7% above Amarillo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 14.1" |
Irvine runs 8.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (56.9Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Irvine β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 35 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Irvine is 23.7% above Amarillo ($62,469 vs $129,647, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Dry climate: Irvine sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1069 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Irvine more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine is 23.7% higher than Amarillo (113.566 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 653.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Irvine, CA from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 1069 mi and the route typically takes 18h 31m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 107.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Irvine, CA.