Amarillo vs Lexington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Lexington
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 20.4% less than Lexington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $94,257 in Lexington.
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 $94,257 in Lexington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $59,677 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Lexington
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $245,000. The $50,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $456/month in Lexington. 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 Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $364 in Lexington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 94 in Lexington. 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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $59,837 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 $1,298/month in Lexington. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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