Moving from Amarillo, TX to Richmond, CA
It is 1371 mi between Amarillo and Richmond β roughly 24h 6m 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.
1371 mi Β· 24h 6m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, Lancaster, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.82 in Amarillo to 115.613 in Richmond, putting overall prices 25.9% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 25.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $206,787 to $606,427 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 24.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Amarillo (56.9Β°F) and Richmond (58.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 35 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.85 |
Richmond households earn about 25.9% more than Amarillo at the median β $62,469 β $90,038 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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
Is Richmond more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 25.9% higher than Amarillo (115.613 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, CA from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 1371 mi and the route typically takes 24h 6m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 193.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1371 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 Richmond compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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 Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 44.1% 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· Richmond, CA.