City Comparison

Amarillo vs Huntsville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amarillo

Texas
74
Very Affordable
$195,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$58,500
Median Income

Huntsville

Alabama
91
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,098
Median Income

The Verdict

18.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.7%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $92,230 in Huntsville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
59
Amarillo
79
Huntsville
Groceries
92
Amarillo
96
Huntsville
Utilities
94
Amarillo
91
Huntsville
Transportation
75
Amarillo
98
Huntsville
Healthcare
104
Amarillo
93
Huntsville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $92,230 in Huntsville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Huntsville equals $60,989 in Amarillo.

Living in Amarillo vs Huntsville

Housing Costs

Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Huntsville's 79, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $260,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,200/mo in Huntsville, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 96 in Huntsville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $456/month in Huntsville. 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 91 in Huntsville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $364 in Huntsville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 93 in Huntsville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $56,098 in Huntsville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $61,646 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 $1,309/month in Huntsville. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/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

Amarillo is 18.7% more affordable overall with an index of 74 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,230 in Huntsville, based on the cost of living difference.
Amarillo's housing index is 59 with median homes at $195,000, while Huntsville's is 79 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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