Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

Amarillo is 45% cheaper than Surprise.

$1,049/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↑ 83%
$62,469/yr ↓ 33%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↑ 49%
$186,800 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$396,000 ↑ 112%
$1,074/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↑ 48%
200,945
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $868/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $10,416/year.

Median household income is $30,902/year higher in Surprise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Surprise — common questions

Is Amarillo or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Surprise?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $868/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Surprise?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $30,902/year higher in Surprise.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Surprise details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Amarillo and Surprise

Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor Surprise vs. Joliet Surprise vs. Naperville Surprise vs. Jackson Surprise vs. Pasadena Surprise vs. Escondido Surprise vs. Mesquite