Moving from Denver, CO to Amarillo, TX
It is a 416 mi drive, roughly 7h 55m, between Denver, CO and Amarillo, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
416 mi Β· 7h 55m by car Β· CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, US 385, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.2% moving from Denver to Amarillo β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $539,666 in Denver to $206,787 in Amarillo, a 13.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denver | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | β |
Annual temperature rises 5.5Β°F moving to Amarillo per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.56 |
Amarillo households earn about 13.2% less than Denver at the median β $91,681 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 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
- 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 Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $539,666 in Denver β a 61.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Denver to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 416 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 Amarillo compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver 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 Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 416 mi and the route typically takes 7h 55m via US 287 and US 385. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 13.2% lower than Denver (91.82 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $91,681 in Denver β a 31.9% lower 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 Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO Β· Amarillo, TX.