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.
How to Use This City Page
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 — 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.
Amarillo Cost Index by Category
Each bar shows how the Amarillo cost index for that category compares to the US national baseline of 100.
Amarillo has a manufacturing-to-services economy where job retraining programs gradually rebuild the middle class
The housing market features one of America's more affordable housing markets, where homeownership is within reach for most working families
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..
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 — making it a magnet for remote workers and retirees.
💰 Purchasing Power in Amarillo
Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Amarillo, your dollar buys 19% more than the national average.
🔺 Where Amarillo Costs More
🔽 Where Amarillo Costs Less
💰 Salary Landscape
vs national average · higher = better
Monthly Living Expenses in Amarillo
What it actually costs to live in Amarillo each month — from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.
Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Amarillo's cost index of 84 applied to national spending surveys.
🏘️ Neighborhood Cost Variation
Don't let the metro-wide numbers fool you — 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 — based on deviation from the national average.
🏠 Home Services in Amarillo
What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels
Roof Replacement
-26%HVAC Installation
-30%Plumbing Services
-14%Electrical Work
-3%Kitchen Remodel
-20%Bathroom Remodel
-40%House Painting
-37%Flooring Installation
-11%Landscaping
-17%Fence Installation
-16%Window Replacement
-19%Solar Panel Installation
-21%Water Heater Replacement
0%Deck Building
-33%Pool Installation
-24%Tree Removal
-1%Garage Door Repair
-26%💼 Business Startup Costs in Amarillo
Full startup cost breakdowns — from lease deposits to working capital
Start a Restaurant
-31%Start a Coffee Shop
-39%Start a Food Truck
-28%Start a Gym
-11%Start a Daycare
-21%Start a Hair Salon
-24%Start a Laundromat
-7%Start a Bakery
-18%Start a Bar
-15%Start a Cleaning Business
-2%Start an Airbnb
-26%Start a Trucking Business
-30%📊 Cost of Living in Amarillo
Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities
Cost of Living
-15%Rent Prices
-23%Grocery Costs
-26%Utility Costs
0%Transportation Costs
-3%Childcare Costs
-16%Gym Membership
-13%🛡️ Insurance in Amarillo
Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories
Car Insurance
+9%Home Insurance
-28%Health Insurance
-3%Business Insurance
+13%Life Insurance
-20%Renters Insurance
-29%Pet Insurance
-5%Dental Insurance
-5%Motorcycle Insurance
+1%⚖️ Legal Services in Amarillo
Attorney fees, court costs, and total legal service expenses
Personal Injury Lawyer
+1%Divorce Lawyer
0%DUI Lawyer
+3%Immigration Lawyer
-7%Estate Planning Lawyer
-2%Workers Comp Lawyer
-5%Bankruptcy Lawyer
-5%💰 Salaries & Jobs in Amarillo
Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization
Software Developer Salary
-24%Registered Nurse Salary
-13%Teacher Salary
-2%Electrician Salary
-29%Plumber Salary
-6%Accountant Salary
-17%Physical Therapist Salary
-7%Police Officer Salary
-33%Dentist Salary
-39%Real Estate Agent Salary
-22%How Much Income Do You Need in Amarillo?
✅ Best For
- Outdoor enthusiasts
- Remote workers keeping coastal salaries
- Retirees on fixed incomes
- First-time business owners
⚠️ Not Ideal For
- Those seeking dense urban amenities
- Workers in highly specialized tech roles
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.
CostOfCity Value Index
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.
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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
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Compare Amarillo Costs Nationally
See how Amarillo ranks on major household and life expenses against 300+ US cities — cheapest to most expensive.
Popular Amarillo cost & affordability searches
- → Rent prices in Amarillo, TX
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