Moving from Arvada, CO to Amarillo, TX
Moving from Arvada, CO to Amarillo, TX 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
| Arvada | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Amarillo is 13.2% cheaper than Arvada overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Amarillo is 13.2% below Arvada β $616,566 vs $206,787 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | β |
Amarillo runs 6.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.3Β°F vs 56.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.56 |
Median household income in Amarillo is 13.2% below Arvada ($113,396 vs $62,469, ACS 5-year 2023).
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 Colorado 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
- 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
- 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 much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 66.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 13.2% lower than Arvada (91.82 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Amarillo?
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.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 44.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Arvada, CO?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Amarillo, TX.