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

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Simi Valley

California
200

Amarillo is 131% cheaper than Simi Valley.

$1,049/mo ↓ 58%
Median Rent
$2,513/mo ↑ 140%
$62,469/yr ↓ 47%
Median Income
$117,703/yr ↑ 88%
$186,800 ↓ 75%
Home Value
$753,500 ↑ 303%
$1,074/mo ↓ 58%
Owner Costs
$2,576/mo ↑ 140%
200,945
Population
125,769

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 Simi Valley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,464/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $17,568/year.

Median household income is $55,234/year higher in Simi Valley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $753,500 in Simi Valley.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Simi Valley — common questions

Is Amarillo or Simi Valley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Simi Valley?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Simi Valley it's $2,513/month — a difference of $1,464/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Simi Valley?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $117,703 in Simi Valley. Median household income is $55,234/year higher in Simi Valley.
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 Simi Valley?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Simi Valley has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,513/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Simi Valley details →