Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Birmingham, AL (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Birmingham

Alabama
62

Amarillo is 7% more expensive than Birmingham.

$1,049/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,047/mo ≈ Same
$62,469/yr ↑ 41%
Median Income
$44,376/yr ↓ 29%
$186,800 ↑ 35%
Home Value
$138,600 ↓ 26%
$1,074/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$991/mo ↓ 8%
200,945
Population
199,322

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Birmingham, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 62 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $18,093/year higher in Amarillo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $138,600 in Birmingham.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Birmingham — common questions

Is Amarillo or Birmingham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Birmingham is cheaper to live in with an index of 62 compared to 69 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Birmingham?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Birmingham it's $1,047/month — a difference of $2/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Birmingham?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $44,376 in Birmingham. Median household income is $18,093/year higher in Amarillo.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Birmingham?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Birmingham has a cost index of 62 with rent of $1,047/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Birmingham details →