Amarillo vs Arlington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Arlington
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 54.9% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $166,216 in Arlington.
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 $166,216 in Arlington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Arlington equals $33,841 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Arlington
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Arlington's 249, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $740,000. The $545,000 difference in home prices means roughly $35,424 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $2,350/mo in Arlington, a monthly difference of $1,375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 106 in Arlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $504/month in Arlington. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 102 in Arlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $408 in Arlington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 117 in Arlington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $145,000 in Arlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $88,415 respectively. Arlington 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 $3,383/month in Arlington. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 190 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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