Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Arvada, CO (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Arvada

Colorado
152

Amarillo is 83% cheaper than Arvada.

$1,049/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$1,802/mo ↑ 72%
$62,469/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$113,396/yr ↑ 82%
$186,800 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$600,800 ↑ 222%
$1,074/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,948/mo ↑ 81%
200,945
Population
122,835

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.4%
6.25%
Sales Tax
2.9%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Arvada, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $753/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $9,036/year.

Median household income is $50,927/year higher in Arvada. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $600,800 in Arvada.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Colorado's 4.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Arvada — common questions

Is Amarillo or Arvada cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Arvada?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Arvada it's $1,802/month — a difference of $753/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Arvada?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $113,396 in Arvada. Median household income is $50,927/year higher in Arvada.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Colorado?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Arvada?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Arvada has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,802/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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