Amarillo vs Columbia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Columbia
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 22.9%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $97,297 in Columbia.
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 $97,297 in Columbia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Columbia equals $57,813 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Columbia
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Columbia's 88, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $210,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,200/mo in Columbia, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 99 in Columbia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $470/month in Columbia. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 97 in Columbia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $388 in Columbia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 102 in Columbia. 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 $46,734 in Columbia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $48,681 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 $1,090/month in Columbia. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Columbia, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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