Amarillo vs Newark
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Newark
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 38.8% less than Newark. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $122,635 in Newark.
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 $122,635 in Newark.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newark equals $45,868 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Newark
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Newark's 149, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $340,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,400/mo in Newark, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 103 in Newark. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $489/month in Newark. 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 118 in Newark. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $472 in Newark. 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 105 in Newark. 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 $40,014 in Newark. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $33,069 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 $934/month in Newark. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Newark, 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 90 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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