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

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

Amarillo is 103% cheaper than Santa Rosa.

$1,049/mo ↓ 50%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↑ 99%
$62,469/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↑ 56%
$186,800 ↓ 73%
Home Value
$685,000 ↑ 267%
$1,074/mo ↓ 50%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↑ 98%
200,945
Population
177,216

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 Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,035/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $12,420/year.

Median household income is $34,941/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

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 Rosa — common questions

Is Amarillo or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $1,035/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $34,941/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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