Amarillo vs Pensacola
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Pensacola
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 16.9%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $90,203 in Pensacola.
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 $90,203 in Pensacola.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pensacola equals $62,360 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Pensacola
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Pensacola's 80, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $314,000. The $119,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,350/mo in Pensacola, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 101 in Pensacola. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $480/month in Pensacola. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 94 in Pensacola. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $376 in Pensacola. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 100 in Pensacola. 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 $63,200 in Pensacola. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $71,011 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 $1,475/month in Pensacola. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Pensacola, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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