Moving from Newport News, VA to Amarillo, TX
It is 1616 mi and 28h 48m from Newport News to Amarillo β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1616 mi Β· 28h 48m by car Β· TX β OK β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Amarillo at 91.82 vs Newport News at 97.941.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $290,660 to $206,787 moving to Amarillo.
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Newport News (59.5Β°F) and Amarillo (56.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.56 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.2% lower in Amarillo than Newport News.
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 Virginia 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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 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 Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 28.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Newport News to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1616 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 Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Newport News vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 6.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 6.2% lower than Newport News (91.82 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 1616 mi and the route typically takes 28h 48m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 5 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 Newport News.
City profiles: Newport News, VA Β· Amarillo, TX.