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

Charlotte

North Carolina
108
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Charlotte is 57% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,504/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 30%
$78,438/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 20%
$351,500 ↑ 88%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 47%
$1,487/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 28%
886,283
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Charlotte, NC and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 108 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $455/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $5,460/year.

Median household income is $15,969/year higher in Charlotte. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Charlotte is $351,500 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Charlotte vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Charlotte or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 108 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Charlotte and Amarillo?
Median rent in Charlotte is $1,504/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $455/month.
Which city has higher income, Charlotte or Amarillo?
Median household income is $78,438 in Charlotte and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $15,969/year higher in Charlotte.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Texas?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Charlotte or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Charlotte has a cost index of 108 with median rent of $1,504/mo, while Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,049/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Charlotte details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Charlotte and Amarillo

Charlotte vs. Columbus Charlotte vs. Indianapolis Charlotte vs. Fort Worth Charlotte vs. San Francisco Charlotte vs. Jacksonville Charlotte vs. Seattle Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor