Amarillo vs Asheville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Asheville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 31.5%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $109,459 in Asheville.
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 $109,459 in Asheville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Asheville equals $51,389 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Asheville
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Asheville's 120, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $360,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,500/mo in Asheville, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 103 in Asheville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $489/month in Asheville. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 95 in Asheville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $380 in Asheville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 106 in Asheville. 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 $58,500 in Amarillo and $48,534 in Asheville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $44,939 respectively. Amarillo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $1,132/month in Asheville. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Asheville, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases