Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Gainesville, FL (2026)
Amarillo
Texas
69
VS
Gainesville
Florida
81
Amarillo is 12% cheaper than Gainesville.
$1,049/mo
↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,214/mo
↑ 16%
$62,469/yr
↑ 37%
Median Income
$45,611/yr
↓ 27%
$186,800
↓ 21%
Home Value
$235,000
↑ 26%
$1,074/mo
↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,167/mo
↑ 9%
200,945
Population
143,611
Tax Comparison
0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
31.9%
rent-to-income
Detailed Comparison
When comparing Amarillo, TX and Gainesville, FL, the overall cost of living indices are
69 and 81 respectively
(national median = 100). Rent is $165/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $1,980/year.
Median household income is $16,858/year higher in Amarillo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800
compared to $235,000 in Gainesville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Amarillo vs Gainesville — common questions
Is Amarillo or Gainesville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Gainesville?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Gainesville it's $1,214/month — a difference of $165/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Gainesville?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $45,611 in Gainesville. Median household income is $16,858/year higher in Amarillo.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Gainesville?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,214/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.