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

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Salinas

California
156

Amarillo is 56% cheaper than Salinas.

$1,049/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$1,923/mo ↑ 83%
$62,469/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$89,150/yr ↑ 43%
$186,800 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$610,900 ↑ 227%
$1,074/mo ↓ 44%
Owner Costs
$1,912/mo ↑ 78%
200,945
Population
161,993

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Salinas, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 156 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $874/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $10,488/year.

Median household income is $26,681/year higher in Salinas. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $610,900 in Salinas.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Salinas — common questions

Is Amarillo or Salinas cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 156 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Salinas?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Salinas it's $1,923/month — a difference of $874/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Salinas?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $89,150 in Salinas. Median household income is $26,681/year higher in Salinas.
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 Salinas?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Salinas has a cost index of 156 with rent of $1,923/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Salinas details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Amarillo and Salinas

Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor Salinas vs. Palmdale Salinas vs. Hayward Salinas vs. Springfield Salinas vs. Corona Salinas vs. Fort Collins Salinas vs. Paterson