Amarillo vs Burlington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Burlington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 37.3%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $119,595 in Burlington.
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 $119,595 in Burlington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Burlington equals $47,034 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Burlington
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Burlington's 139, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $380,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,800/mo in Burlington, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 108 in Burlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $513/month in Burlington. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 115 in Burlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $460 in Burlington. 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 116 in Burlington. 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 $51,098 in Burlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $43,303 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 $1,192/month in Burlington. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 80 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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