Moving from Dayton, OH to Amarillo, TX
It is 1108 mi between Dayton and Amarillo β roughly 20h 2m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1108 mi Β· 20h 2m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 70, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dayton | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.56 |
Amarillo households earn about 0.9% more than Dayton at the median β $43,454 β $62,469 on ACS 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 Ohio 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.
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 far is Amarillo, TX from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 1108 mi and the route typically takes 20h 2m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 0.9% lower than Dayton (91.82 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $136,592 in Dayton β a 51.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1108 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 Dayton vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $43,454 in Dayton β a 43.8% 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 Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH Β· Amarillo, TX.