Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Knoxville, TN (2026)
Amarillo
Texas
69
VS
Knoxville
Tennessee
74
Amarillo is 5% cheaper than Knoxville.
$1,049/mo
↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo
↑ 6%
$62,469/yr
↑ 23%
Median Income
$50,994/yr
↓ 18%
$186,800
↓ 13%
Home Value
$214,000
↑ 15%
$1,074/mo
≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo
≈ Same
200,945
Population
193,721
Tax Comparison
0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.64%
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income
Detailed Comparison
When comparing Amarillo, TX and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are
69 and 74 respectively
(national median = 100). Rent is $67/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $804/year.
Median household income is $11,475/year higher in Amarillo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800
compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Amarillo vs Knoxville — common questions
Is Amarillo or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Knoxville?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $67/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Knoxville?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $11,475/year higher in Amarillo.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Tennessee?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,116/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.