Moving from Olathe, KS to Amarillo, TX
A move from Olathe, KS to Amarillo, TX covers 553 mi and around 10h 1m of driving through 3 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.
553 mi Β· 10h 1m by car Β· TX β OK β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 60, US 412 |
| Major cities en route | Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Kansas City, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Olathe (92.543) and Amarillo (91.82) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Amarillo: 0.8% below Olathe on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Olathe | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.56 |
Median household income in Amarillo is 0.8% below Olathe ($112,232 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 Kansas 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 does household income compare in Olathe vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $112,232 in Olathe β a 44.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 553 mi and the route typically takes 10h 1m via I 35 and US 60. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 0.8% lower than Olathe (91.82 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Olathe to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 553 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 Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $433,117 in Olathe β a 52.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS Β· Amarillo, TX.