Amarillo vs Aurora
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Amarillo
Aurora
💡 The Verdict
Amarillo is 18% cheaper than Aurora overall. A $75,000 salary in Amarillo is equivalent to $91,935 in Aurora.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Amarillo (left) vs Aurora (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Amarillo versus Aurora. Differences shown from Amarillo perspective.
| Item | Amarillo | Aurora | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $990/mo | $1,070/mo | $-80.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,380/mo | $1,500/mo | $-120.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,790/mo | $2,060/mo | $-270.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.55 | $3.13 | $-0.58 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.39 | $4.45 | $-1.06 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.29 | $3.87 | $-0.58 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.63 | $6.09 | $-0.46 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.11 | $3.58 | $-0.47 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.55 | $20.05 | $-3.50 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $91,935 in Aurora.
Conversely, $75,000 in Aurora equals $61,184 in Amarillo.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3301 difference is driven by Colorado having a higher state income tax rate. Texas details → · Colorado details →
Reading These Numbers: Amarillo (93) vs Aurora (114)
Amarillo at 93 is 7% below the US average, while Aurora at 114 is 14% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Amarillo, the composite index of 93 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 97, followed by groceries (90), utilities (95), transportation (95), and healthcare (98). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,380/mo in Amarillo and $1,500/mo in Aurora, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,440.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $7,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $61,000.0 difference in median home prices between Amarillo and Aurora translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Amarillo vs Aurora
Choosing between Amarillo and Aurora involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Amarillo and Aurora can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.