Amarillo vs Bethlehem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Bethlehem
The Verdict
Amarillo is 23.7% less expensive than Bethlehem overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amarillo would need approximately $98,311 in Bethlehem to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $98,311 in Bethlehem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Bethlehem equals $57,216 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Bethlehem
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Bethlehem's 110, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $258,000. The $63,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,092 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,250/mo in Bethlehem, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 101 in Bethlehem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $480/month in Bethlehem. 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 102 in Bethlehem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $408 in Bethlehem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 83 in Bethlehem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $62,600 in Bethlehem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $64,536 respectively. Amarillo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $1,461/month in Bethlehem. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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