Texas ยท SouthVery Affordable CityUpdated May 2026

Cost of Living in Amarillo, TX

Detailed cost data for 62 topics across 6 categories โ€” from rent and groceries to business startup costs and professional salaries.

Cost Index
84
16% below national average
100 = national baseline
202K
Population
$66K
Median Income
$1,092/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$3,410/mo
Living Cost (Single)

Direct Answer

Amarillo, TX has a CostOfCity index of 84, which is 16% below the national baseline. Average modeled rent is $1,092/month and the single-adult living cost estimate is $3,410/month.

Cost index
84
Very Affordable City; 100 is national baseline
Population
202K
Official population benchmark
Median income
$66K
Official household income benchmark
Priority pages
9
Rent, salary, budget, vehicle, retirement, and comparisons
โœ๏ธ Reviewed by Marcus Rivera, Urban Economics Researcher๐Ÿ“… Last verified: May 2026
BLSCensusHUD

How to Use This City Page

Start with rent and monthly budget, then compare salary-needed before making a relocation decision.
Use the cost index as a directional signal; neighborhood rent and commute costs can change the answer materially.
Review cheaper alternatives and nearby city comparisons if Amarillo is above your target budget.
Use official/hybrid/model labels and the methodology page to understand where each estimate comes from.

Cost of Living in Amarillo: The Full Picture

Planning a move to Amarillo or benchmarking your current costs? This page covers every metric we track for this TX mid-size city โ€” from roof replacements and HVAC work to insurance premiums and professional salaries. At a cost index of 84, you'll find prices below the national average across most categories. Heat, humidity, heavy rain, and storm seasons create maintenance pressure that keeps cooling, drainage, and exterior upkeep costs elevated.

A
Overall
A+
Housing
A
Food
A
Healthcare
A
Transport
A
Utilities
๐Ÿ’ผ Economy

Amarillo has a manufacturing-to-services economy where job retraining programs gradually rebuild the middle class

๐Ÿ  Housing

The housing market features one of America's more affordable housing markets, where homeownership is within reach for most working families

๐ŸŒค๏ธ Climate & Lifestyle

Heat, humidity, heavy rain, and storm seasons create maintenance pressure that keeps cooling, drainage, and exterior upkeep costs elevated.. The lifestyle here is characterized by Big houses, bigger trucks, and a cost of living that leaves room for weekend road trips and backyard cookouts..

๐Ÿ’ก The Bottom Line

Few American cities offer better value than Amarillo. At a cost index of 84, you'll find housing, services, and daily expenses dramatically cheaper than national norms โ€” making it a magnet for remote workers and retirees.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Purchasing Power in Amarillo

$50K salary
โ‰ˆ $60K
+$10K real value
$75K salary
โ‰ˆ $89K
+$14K real value
$100K salary
โ‰ˆ $119K
+$19K real value
$150K salary
โ‰ˆ $179K
+$29K real value

Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Amarillo, your dollar buys 19% more than the national average.

Monthly Living Expenses in Amarillo

What it actually costs to live in Amarillo each month โ€” from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.

LifestyleSingle PersonCoupleFamily of 4
๐ŸŸกTight / Frugal$1,850/mo$3,200/mo$4,200/mo
๐ŸŸขComfortable$2,950/mo$4,850/mo$6,300/mo
๐ŸŸฃGenerous$4,600/mo$7,550/mo$10,100/mo

Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Amarillo's cost index of 84 applied to national spending surveys.

๐Ÿ˜๏ธ Neighborhood Cost Variation

Don't let the metro-wide numbers fool you โ€” Amarillo is a city of micro-markets. The most expensive ZIP codes can cost twice as much as the most affordable ones for identical services. Shop around by neighborhood and you'll find genuine pockets of value.

Amarillo vs U.S. Average Cost of Living

Category-by-category affordability grades โ€” based on deviation from the national average.

Grades: A+/A = very affordable ยท B = average ยท C/D = expensive ยท For salaries, higher = better

๐Ÿ  Home Services in Amarillo

What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels

๐Ÿ’ผ Business Startup Costs in Amarillo

Full startup cost breakdowns โ€” from lease deposits to working capital

๐Ÿ“Š Cost of Living in Amarillo

Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Insurance in Amarillo

Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories

๐Ÿ’ฐ Salaries & Jobs in Amarillo

Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization

How Much Income Do You Need in Amarillo?

โœ… Best For

  • Outdoor enthusiasts
  • Remote workers keeping coastal salaries
  • Retirees on fixed incomes
  • First-time business owners

โš ๏ธ Not Ideal For

  • Those seeking dense urban amenities
  • Workers in highly specialized tech roles
๐Ÿ’ฌ Expert Tip

Before moving to Amarillo, compare your target salary against local costs using our calculator. You may be pleasantly surprised by how far your income goes.

How Does Amarillo Compare?

Pick a nearby city and see the full cost comparison across all 62 topics.

CostOfCity Value Index

C
Amarillo Value Score: 40/100
Below Average
Affordability Ratio
2x
Stretched
Savings Potential
33%
of median income
Value Score
23/100
income-adjusted
Growth Risk
44/100
Stable costs

The CostOfCity Value Index combines cost-of-living data with median income, savings potential, and cost growth trends to produce a single score. Higher = better value for your money. Updated quarterly.

๐Ÿ“ฆ

Free Relocation Blueprint

Your complete moving budget for Amarillo, TX

Monthly Budget
$2,286
Moving Costs
$2,000 โ€“ $4,500
Deposits Est.
$2,730
Cost Index
84
Median Income
$66K
Population
202K

Get a personalized PDF with first-month costs, 12-month cash projection, neighborhood tips, and a moving checklist โ€” tailored to your household size and origin city.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Amarillo

How does Amarillo compare to other cities in TX?

Within Texas, Amarillo has a cost index of 84. Nearby options include Lubbock and Midland, which offer useful comparison points.

Is Amarillo, TX expensive to live in?

Amarillo's cost of living index is 84, which is 16% below the national average of 100. Amarillo is one of the more affordable US cities.

What is the median household income in Amarillo?

The median household income in Amarillo is approximately $51,000 per year. Adjusted for local cost of living (index: 84), this goes further than in many US cities.

Explore Amarillo in Depth

๐Ÿ  Living Alone
Solo budget breakdown for Amarillo
๐Ÿ’ฐ Salary Needed
Minimum salary to live in Amarillo
๐Ÿ“Š Can I Afford It?
Budget check for Amarillo
๐Ÿ“‹ Monthly Budget
Full monthly breakdown
๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Texas Overview
Compare all cities in Texas

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