Amarillo vs Athens
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Athens
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 15.9% less than Athens. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $89,189 in Athens.
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 Athens.
Conversely, $75,000 in Athens equals $63,068 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Athens
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Athens's 78, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $307,000. The $112,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,284 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,200/mo in Athens, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 101 in Athens. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $480/month in Athens. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 101 in Athens. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $404 in Athens. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 97 in Athens. 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 $56,700 in Athens. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $64,432 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 $1,323/month in Athens. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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