Amarillo vs Brownsville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Brownsville
The Verdict
Amarillo is 1.3% less expensive than Brownsville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amarillo would need approximately $76,014 in Brownsville 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 $76,014 in Brownsville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Brownsville equals $74,000 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Brownsville
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is higher Brownsville's 58, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $155,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $875/mo in Brownsville, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 87 in Brownsville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $413/month in Brownsville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 79 in Brownsville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $316 in Brownsville. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 92 in Brownsville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $52,100 in Brownsville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $69,467 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 $1,216/month in Brownsville. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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