Amarillo vs Orem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Orem
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 36.8% less than Orem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $118,581 in Orem.
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 $118,581 in Orem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $47,436 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Orem
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $528,000. The $333,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,400/mo in Orem, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $466/month in Orem. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $368 in Orem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 95 in Orem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $73,504 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 $2,007/month in Orem. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 88 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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