Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Charleston, SC (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

Amarillo is 59% cheaper than Charleston.

$1,049/mo ↓ 36%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 56%
$62,469/yr ↓ 31%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 44%
$186,800 ↓ 60%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 151%
$1,074/mo ↓ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 57%
200,945
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $583/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $6,996/year.

Median household income is $27,569/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Charleston — common questions

Is Amarillo or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Charleston?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $583/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Charleston?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $27,569/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Charleston details →