Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Lancaster, CA (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Lancaster

California
124

Amarillo is 44% cheaper than Lancaster.

$1,049/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↑ 62%
$62,469/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↑ 22%
$186,800 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$409,100 ↑ 119%
$1,074/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↑ 63%
200,945
Population
170,013

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $647/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $7,764/year.

Median household income is $13,614/year higher in Lancaster. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Lancaster — common questions

Is Amarillo or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 124 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Lancaster?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $647/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Lancaster?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $13,614/year higher in Lancaster.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Lancaster details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Amarillo and Lancaster

Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor Lancaster vs. Pembroke Pines Lancaster vs. Fort Collins Lancaster vs. Garden Grove Lancaster vs. Springfield Lancaster vs. Clarksville Lancaster vs. Palmdale