Amarillo vs Charleston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Charleston
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.9%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $86,149 in Charleston.
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 $86,149 in Charleston.
Conversely, $75,000 in Charleston equals $65,294 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Charleston
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Charleston's 62, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $135,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $850/mo in Charleston, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 97 in Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $461/month in Charleston. 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 92 in Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $368 in Charleston. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 91 in Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $42,034 in Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $49,452 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 $981/month in Charleston. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Charleston, median rent of $850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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