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

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

Amarillo is 78% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$1,049/mo ↓ 65%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 185%
$62,469/yr ↓ 64%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 178%
$186,800 ↓ 88%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 718%
$1,074/mo ↓ 65%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 184%
200,945
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,936/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $23,232/year.

Median household income is $111,201/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is Amarillo or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Santa Clara?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $1,936/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $111,201/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Santa Clara details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Amarillo and Santa Clara

Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor Santa Clara vs. Carrollton Santa Clara vs. Fargo Santa Clara vs. New Haven Santa Clara vs. Norman Santa Clara vs. Sterling Heights Santa Clara vs. Lewisville