Amarillo vs Dallas
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Amarillo
Dallas
💡 The Verdict
Amarillo is 10% cheaper than Dallas overall. A $75,000 salary in Amarillo is equivalent to $83,065 in Dallas.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Amarillo (left) vs Dallas (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Amarillo versus Dallas. Differences shown from Amarillo perspective.
| Item | Amarillo | Dallas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $990/mo | $1,040/mo | $-50.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,380/mo | $1,500/mo | $-120.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,790/mo | $2,010/mo | $-220.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.55 | $2.51 | +$0.04 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.39 | $3.78 | $-0.39 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.29 | $2.92 | +$0.37 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.63 | $5.65 | $-0.02 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.11 | $3.42 | $-0.31 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.55 | $14.64 | +$1.91 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $83,065 in Dallas.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dallas equals $67,718 in Amarillo.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
Both states have similar effective tax rates on this salary level. Texas details → · Texas details →
Reading These Numbers: Amarillo (93) vs Dallas (103)
Amarillo at 93 is 7% below the US average, while Dallas at 103 is 3% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Amarillo, the composite index of 93 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 97, followed by groceries (90), utilities (95), transportation (95), and healthcare (98). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,380/mo in Amarillo and $1,500/mo in Dallas, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,440.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $7,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $8,000.0 difference in median home prices between Amarillo and Dallas translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Amarillo vs Dallas
Choosing between Amarillo and Dallas involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Amarillo versus Dallas depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.