Amarillo vs Cary
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Cary
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 30.2% less than Cary. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $107,432 in Cary.
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 Cary.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cary equals $52,358 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Cary
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Cary's 152, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $500,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,850/mo in Cary, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 101 in Cary. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $480/month in Cary. 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 97 in Cary. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $388 in Cary. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 113 in Cary. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $117,400 in Cary. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $110,755 respectively. Cary 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 $2,739/month in Cary. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 93 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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