Amarillo vs Carmel
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Carmel
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 30.2% less than Carmel. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $107,432 in Carmel.
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 Carmel.
Conversely, $75,000 in Carmel equals $52,358 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Carmel
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Carmel's 134, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $478,000. The $283,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,700/mo in Carmel, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 100 in Carmel. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $475/month in Carmel. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 97 in Carmel. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $388 in Carmel. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 89 in Carmel. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $141,500 in Carmel. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $133,491 respectively. Carmel residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $3,302/month in Carmel. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Carmel, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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