Amarillo vs Columbus
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Columbus
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 20.4% less than Columbus. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $94,257 in Columbus.
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 $94,257 in Columbus.
Conversely, $75,000 in Columbus equals $59,677 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Columbus
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Columbus's 82, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $240,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,200/mo in Columbus, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 99 in Columbus. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $470/month in Columbus. 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 93 in Columbus. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $372 in Columbus. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 96 in Columbus. 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 $56,590 in Columbus. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $60,849 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 $1,320/month in Columbus. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Columbus, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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