City Comparison

Amarillo vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amarillo

Texas
74
Very Affordable
$195,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$58,500
Median Income

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

6.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.3%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $80,068 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
59
Amarillo
49
Montgomery
Groceries
92
Amarillo
99
Montgomery
Utilities
94
Amarillo
115
Montgomery
Transportation
75
Amarillo
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
104
Amarillo
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $80,068 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $70,253 in Amarillo.

Living in Amarillo vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Amarillo's housing index of 59 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $162,000. The $33,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $470/month in Montgomery. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $71,899 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo is 6.3% more affordable overall with an index of 74 vs 79.
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,068 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Amarillo's housing index is 59 with median homes at $195,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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