Amarillo vs Chesapeake
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Chesapeake
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 28.8% less than Chesapeake. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $105,405 in Chesapeake.
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 $105,405 in Chesapeake.
Conversely, $75,000 in Chesapeake equals $53,365 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Chesapeake
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Chesapeake's 120, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $385,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,550/mo in Chesapeake, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 102 in Chesapeake. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $485/month in Chesapeake. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 105 in Chesapeake. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $420 in Chesapeake. 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 97 in Chesapeake. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,500 in Amarillo and $94,200 in Chesapeake. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $90,577 respectively. Chesapeake 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 $2,198/month in Chesapeake. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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