Amarillo vs Oklahoma City

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 $88,176 in Oklahoma City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $63,793 in Amarillo.

Living in Amarillo vs Oklahoma City

Housing Costs

Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $195,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. 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 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 92 in Oklahoma City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $63,745 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 $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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