Amarillo vs Johnson City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Johnson City
The Verdict
Amarillo is 12.9% less expensive than Johnson City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amarillo would need approximately $86,149 in Johnson City 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 $86,149 in Johnson City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $65,294 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Johnson City
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $276,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $451/month in Johnson City. 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 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $65,176 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 $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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