Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Amarillo, TX
A move from Garden Grove, CA to Amarillo, TX covers 1072 mi and around 18h 30m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1072 mi Β· 18h 30m 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, I 15, CA 57 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 91.82, putting Amarillo roughly 19.1% below Garden Grove on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Amarillo: 19.1% below Garden Grove on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garden Grove | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | β |
Amarillo is 9.2Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.1Β°F vs 56.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.56 |
Median household income in Amarillo is 19.1% below Garden Grove ($90,166 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 California 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.
- 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
- 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 does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $90,166 in Garden Grove β a 30.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1072 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove β a 79.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1072 mi and the route typically takes 18h 30m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 19.1% lower than Garden Grove (91.82 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA Β· Amarillo, TX.