Amarillo vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Sparks
The Verdict
Living in Amarillo costs 37.8% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $120,608 in Sparks.
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 $120,608 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $46,639 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $500,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $489/month in Sparks. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 88 in Sparks. 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 $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $56,471 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 $1,568/month in Sparks. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Sparks, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 103 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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