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

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Ontario

California
152

Amarillo is 83% cheaper than Ontario.

$1,049/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↑ 83%
$62,469/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↑ 33%
$186,800 ↓ 67%
Home Value
$568,000 ↑ 204%
$1,074/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↑ 83%
200,945
Population
178,347

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $867/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $10,404/year.

Median household income is $20,337/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Ontario — common questions

Is Amarillo or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Ontario?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $867/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Ontario?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $20,337/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Ontario details →