Abilene vs Amarillo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Amarillo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 8.1%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to $69,375 in Amarillo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $69,375 in Amarillo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Amarillo equals $81,081 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Amarillo
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Amarillo's 59, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $195,000. The $16,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $975/mo in Amarillo, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 92 in Amarillo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $437/month in Amarillo. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 94 in Amarillo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $376 in Amarillo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 104 in Amarillo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $58,500 in Amarillo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $79,054 respectively. Amarillo residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,365/month in Amarillo. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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