City Comparison

Amarillo vs South Bend

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amarillo

Texas
74
Very Affordable
$195,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$58,500
Median Income

South Bend

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$173,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$48,200
Median Income

The Verdict

7.5%

Living in Amarillo costs 7.5% less than South Bend. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $81,081 in South Bend.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
59
Amarillo
50
South Bend
Groceries
92
Amarillo
97
South Bend
Utilities
94
Amarillo
94
South Bend
Transportation
75
Amarillo
102
South Bend
Healthcare
104
Amarillo
88
South Bend

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $81,081 in South Bend.

Conversely, $75,000 in South Bend equals $69,375 in Amarillo.

Living in Amarillo vs South Bend

Housing Costs

Amarillo's housing index of 59 is higher South Bend's 50, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $173,000. The $22,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $900/mo in South Bend, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 97 in South Bend. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $461/month in South Bend. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 94 in South Bend. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $376 in South Bend. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 88 in South Bend. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $48,200 in South Bend. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $60,250 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 $1,125/month in South Bend. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In South Bend, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo is 7.5% more affordable overall with an index of 74 vs 80.
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,081 in South Bend, based on the cost of living difference.
Amarillo's housing index is 59 with median homes at $195,000, while South Bend's is 50 with median homes at $173,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases