Amarillo vs Jackson
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Jackson
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 9.8% less than Jackson. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $83,108 in Jackson.
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 $83,108 in Jackson.
Conversely, $75,000 in Jackson equals $67,683 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Jackson
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is higher Jackson's 56, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $125,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $900/mo in Jackson, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 95 in Jackson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $451/month in Jackson. 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 86 in Jackson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $344 in Jackson. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 88 in Jackson. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $36,528 in Jackson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $44,546 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 $852/month in Jackson. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Jackson, median rent of $900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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