Albuquerque vs Amarillo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Amarillo
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 24.3% less than Albuquerque. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albuquerque, you would need $60,326 in Amarillo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $60,326 in Amarillo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Amarillo equals $93,243 in Albuquerque.
Living in Albuquerque vs Amarillo
Housing Costs
Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is higher Amarillo's 59, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $195,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $975/mo in Amarillo, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 92 in Amarillo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque 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 95 in Albuquerque and 94 in Amarillo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $376 in Amarillo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque and 104 in Amarillo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,911 in Albuquerque and $58,500 in Amarillo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 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 $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,365/month in Amarillo. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/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 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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