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

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Pasadena

California
220

Amarillo is 151% cheaper than Pasadena.

$1,049/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↑ 111%
$62,469/yr ↓ 40%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↑ 66%
$186,800 ↓ 82%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↑ 459%
$1,074/mo ↓ 54%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 118%
200,945
Population
136,462

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,169/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $14,028/year.

Median household income is $41,309/year higher in Pasadena. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Amarillo or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 220 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Pasadena?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $1,169/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Pasadena?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $41,309/year higher in Pasadena.
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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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