Amarillo vs El Paso

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 $86,149 in El Paso.

Conversely, $75,000 in El Paso equals $65,294 in Amarillo.

Living in Amarillo vs El Paso

Housing Costs

Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower El Paso's 69, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $185,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,000/mo in El Paso, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 95 in El Paso. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $451/month in El Paso. 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 93 in El Paso. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $372 in El Paso. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 89 in El Paso. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $47,568 in El Paso. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $55,962 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 $1,110/month in El Paso. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In El Paso, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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