Amarillo vs Appleton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Appleton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.9%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $89,189 in Appleton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $89,189 in Appleton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Appleton equals $63,068 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Appleton
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Appleton's 91, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $279,000. The $84,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,460 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $950/mo in Appleton, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 98 in Appleton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $466/month in Appleton. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 70 in Appleton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $280 in Appleton. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 116 in Appleton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,500 in Amarillo and $80,500 in Appleton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $91,477 respectively. Appleton residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $1,878/month in Appleton. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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