Amarillo vs Wichita
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Wichita
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 11.9%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $85,135 in Wichita.
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 $85,135 in Wichita.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wichita equals $66,071 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Wichita
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Wichita's 62, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $165,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $900/mo in Wichita, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 95 in Wichita. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $451/month in Wichita. 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 93 in Wichita. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $372 in Wichita. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 92 in Wichita. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $52,428 in Wichita. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $62,414 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 $1,223/month in Wichita. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Wichita, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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