Amarillo vs Missoula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Missoula
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 35.7%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $116,554 in Missoula.
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 $116,554 in Missoula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $48,261 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Missoula
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $460,000. The $265,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,220 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $489/month in Missoula. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $356 in Missoula. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 102 in Missoula. 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 $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $42,812 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 $1,149/month in Missoula. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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