Moving from Amarillo, TX to Wilmington, NC
Moving from Amarillo, TX to Wilmington, NC 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
| Amarillo | Wilmington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 96.422 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 87.902 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 93.215 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Wilmington is 5.0% 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 Wilmington is 5.0% above Amarillo β $206,787 vs $416,159 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Wilmington -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 60.1" |
Wilmington runs 7.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (56.9Β°F vs 64.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Wilmington 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, WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 118,578 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $63,900 |
| Median age | 35 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 29.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.15 |
Median household incomes in Amarillo ($62,469) and Wilmington ($63,900) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wilmington MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,880 | $27,660 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,320 | $38,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,960 | $34,860 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,580 | $35,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,220 | $76,440 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 Wilmington average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Wilmington averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Wilmington more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wilmington is 5.0% higher than Amarillo (96.422 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Wilmington, NC from Amarillo, TX?
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.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Wilmington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,900 in Wilmington vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 2.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Wilmington?
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 Wilmington compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 142,780 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Wilmington compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $416,159 in Wilmington vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 101.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Wilmington, NC.