Moving from Providence, RI to Amarillo, TX
A 1908 mi cross-country move between Providence and Amarillo is 35h 10m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1908 mi Β· 35h 10m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β RI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β RI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 70, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Providence | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.773 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.809 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.116 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.851 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.8% cheaper overall in Amarillo than Providence on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Providence +2.3%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Providence | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.5" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP, RI US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Providence | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $66,772 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.56 |
Households in Amarillo earn about 9.8% less at the median β 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 Rhode Island 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
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 far is Amarillo, TX from Providence, RI?
The driving distance is 1908 mi and the route typically takes 35h 10m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Providence vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $66,772 in Providence β a 6.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Providence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 9.8% lower than Providence (91.82 vs 101.773, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Providence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $426,007 in Providence β a 51.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Providence to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1908 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Providence.
City profiles: Providence, RI Β· Amarillo, TX.