Amarillo vs Raleigh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Raleigh
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 27.5% less than Raleigh. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $103,378 in Raleigh.
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 $103,378 in Raleigh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $54,412 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Raleigh
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $370,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $475/month in Raleigh. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $376 in Raleigh. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 108 in Raleigh. 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 $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $65,947 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 $1,570/month in Raleigh. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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