Amarillo vs Killeen
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Killeen
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 11.9% less than Killeen. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $85,135 in Killeen.
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 $85,135 in Killeen.
Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $66,071 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Killeen
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is higher Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $235,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $456/month in Killeen. 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 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $432 in Killeen. 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 96 in Killeen. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,500 in Amarillo and $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $67,143 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 $1,316/month in Killeen. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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