Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Paterson, NJ (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Amarillo is 37% cheaper than Paterson.

$1,049/mo ↓ 28%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↑ 39%
$62,469/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 14%
$186,800 ↓ 44%
Home Value
$335,400 ↑ 80%
$1,074/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↑ 45%
200,945
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.25%
Sales Tax
6.625%
1.6%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $408/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $4,896/year.

Median household income is $8,703/year higher in Amarillo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over New Jersey's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Paterson — common questions

Is Amarillo or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Paterson?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $408/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Paterson?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $8,703/year higher in Amarillo.
How do taxes compare between Texas and New Jersey?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Paterson details →