Amarillo vs Denton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Denton
The Verdict
Amarillo is 31.5% less expensive than Denton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amarillo would need approximately $109,459 in Denton to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $109,459 in Denton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Denton equals $51,389 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Denton
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Denton's 126, 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 $1,425/mo in Denton, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 98 in Denton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $466/month in Denton. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 90 in Denton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $360 in Denton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 81 in Denton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $73,700 in Denton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $68,241 respectively. Amarillo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $1,720/month in Denton. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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