Moving from Palmdale, CA to Amarillo, TX
Relocating 1040 mi from Palmdale to Amarillo is a 18h 3m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1040 mi Β· 18h 3m 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 18 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.1% moving from Palmdale 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 $501,257 in Palmdale to $206,787 in Amarillo, a 19.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palmdale | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | β |
Expect 6.7Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.56 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.1% β $81,151 β $62,469 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 the job market in Amarillo compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $501,257 in Palmdale β a 58.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 19.1% lower than Palmdale (91.82 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $81,151 in Palmdale β a 23.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1040 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 1040 mi and the route typically takes 18h 3m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 4 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA Β· Amarillo, TX.