Amarillo vs Topeka
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Topeka
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.8%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $84,122 in Topeka.
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 $84,122 in Topeka.
Conversely, $75,000 in Topeka equals $66,867 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Topeka
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is higher Topeka's 55, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $175,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $900/mo in Topeka, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 98 in Topeka. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $466/month in Topeka. 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 97 in Topeka. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $388 in Topeka. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 96 in Topeka. 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 $55,500 in Topeka. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $66,867 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 $1,295/month in Topeka. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Topeka, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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