Amarillo vs Midland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Midland
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 19.6% less than Midland. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $93,243 in Midland.
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 $93,243 in Midland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Midland equals $60,326 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Midland
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Midland's 84, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $269,000. The $74,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,450/mo in Midland, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 96 in Midland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $456/month in Midland. 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 99 in Midland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $396 in Midland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 110 in Midland. 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 $89,600 in Midland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $97,391 respectively. Midland residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $2,091/month in Midland. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases