($1,442) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Amarillo, TX

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Amarillo

Moving from Des Moines to Amarillo comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Amarillo is generally more expensive than Des Moines, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Amarillo are 4% higher than in Des Moines, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• Home prices are the same in Amarillo and Des Moines.
• Income in Amarillo is 4.9% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Amarillo include BSA Health System, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, and Affiliated Foods.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Amarillo, since the cost of living for a single person in Amarillo is 1.1% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Amarillo, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Amarillo is 7.8% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Amarillo is 16.95% lower than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Amarillo, since the city’s sales taxes in Amarillo are 17.86% higher than in Des Moines.
• One perk of moving to Amarillo is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,031.73 in Amarillo to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Amarillo

• Amarillo's population is about 56% less than Des Moines.
• Amarillo's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
• Amarillo is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
• Both Amarillo and Des Moines have the same bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, meaning Amarillo is about as safe for cyclists as Des Moines. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
• Amarillo's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 25.31 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Amarillo neighborhoods are safer than 25.31% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Amarillo is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 74.69 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
• Air quality in Amarillo is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Amarillo move

• Weather: September, May and October are the most pleasant months in Amarillo, while December and January are the least comfortable months.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Texas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Amarillo. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Amarillo

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Yellow Rose of Texas", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Amarillo.

Helpful moving resources