Amarillo vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Olympia
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 33.9%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $113,514 in Olympia.
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 $113,514 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $49,554 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $495,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $499/month in Olympia. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $72,589 respectively. Amarillo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $1,897/month in Olympia. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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