Amarillo vs College Station

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 $88,176 in College Station.

Conversely, $75,000 in College Station equals $63,793 in Amarillo.

Living in Amarillo vs College Station

Housing Costs

Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower College Station's 82, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $314,000. The $119,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,075/mo in College Station, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 93 in College Station. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $442/month in College Station. 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 96 in College Station. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $384 in College Station. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 90 in College Station. 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 $50,900 in College Station. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $58,506 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 $1,188/month in College Station. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases