Amarillo vs Reno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Reno
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 33.3% less than Reno. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $112,500 in Reno.
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 $112,500 in Reno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $50,000 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Reno
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $450,000. The $255,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,572 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,600/mo in Reno, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 102 in Reno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $485/month in Reno. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $372 in Reno. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 96 in Reno. 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 $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $55,539 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 $1,438/month in Reno. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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