Amarillo vs Champaign
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Champaign
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 8.6% less than Champaign. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $82,095 in Champaign.
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 $82,095 in Champaign.
Conversely, $75,000 in Champaign equals $68,519 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Champaign
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Champaign's 83, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $215,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,100/mo in Champaign, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 98 in Champaign. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $466/month in Champaign. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 106 in Champaign. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $424 in Champaign. 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 90 in Champaign. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $56,100 in Champaign. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $69,259 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 $1,309/month in Champaign. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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