Amarillo vs Boise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Boise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.2%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $107,432 in Boise.
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 $107,432 in Boise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Boise equals $52,358 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Boise
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Boise's 118, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $420,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,400/mo in Boise, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 99 in Boise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $470/month in Boise. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 89 in Boise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $356 in Boise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 98 in Boise. 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 $60,818 in Boise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $57,375 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 $1,419/month in Boise. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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