Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Amarillo is 62% cheaper than Meridian.

$1,049/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 63%
$62,469/yr ↓ 37%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 58%
$186,800 ↓ 61%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 160%
$1,074/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 50%
200,945
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.25%
Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $665/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $7,980/year.

Median household income is $36,217/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Meridian — common questions

Is Amarillo or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Meridian?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $665/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Meridian?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $36,217/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Idaho?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Meridian details →