Amarillo vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Scranton
The Verdict
Amarillo is 17.8% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amarillo would need approximately $91,216 in Scranton to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $91,216 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $61,667 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $195,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $466/month in Scranton. 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 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $55,000 respectively. Amarillo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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