Amarillo vs Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Salem
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 28.8% less than Salem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $105,405 in Salem.
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 $105,405 in Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salem equals $53,365 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Salem
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Salem's 118, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $400,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,275/mo in Salem, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 100 in Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $475/month in Salem. 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 97 in Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $388 in Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 100 in Salem. 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 $66,400 in Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $63,846 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 $1,549/month in Salem. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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