Moving from San Mateo, CA to Amarillo, TX
A move from San Mateo, CA to Amarillo, TX covers 1355 mi and around 23h 53m 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.
1355 mi Β· 23h 53m 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, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, Lancaster, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 20.6% below San Mateo β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (115.613 β 91.82, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Amarillo is 20.6% below San Mateo β $1,686,905 vs $206,787 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | β |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°F) and Amarillo (56.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 38 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.56 |
Median household income in Amarillo is 20.6% below San Mateo ($152,669 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 far is Amarillo, TX from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 1355 mi and the route typically takes 23h 53m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Amarillo more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 20.6% lower than San Mateo (91.82 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 87.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 59.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1355 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Amarillo, TX.