Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Amarillo is 31% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,049/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 25%
$62,469/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 2%
$186,800 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 88%
$1,074/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 28%
200,945
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $262/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $3,144/year.

Median household income is $1,431/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Amarillo or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Wilmington?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $262/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Wilmington?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $1,431/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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