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

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Palmdale

California
130

Amarillo is 61% cheaper than Palmdale.

$1,049/mo ↓ 40%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↑ 65%
$62,469/yr ↓ 23%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↑ 30%
$186,800 ↓ 57%
Home Value
$435,300 ↑ 133%
$1,074/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ↑ 70%
200,945
Population
165,487

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $687/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $8,244/year.

Median household income is $18,682/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Palmdale — common questions

Is Amarillo or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Palmdale?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $687/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Palmdale?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $18,682/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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