Amarillo vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Hilo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 43.9%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $133,784 in Hilo.
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 $133,784 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $42,045 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $555,000. The $360,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $708/month in Hilo. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $3252/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $872 in Hilo. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $59,621 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 $1,836/month in Hilo. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 124 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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