Cost of Living: Columbus, OH vs Amarillo, TX (2026)

Columbus

Ohio
83
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Columbus is 20% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,224/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 14%
$65,327/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 4%
$234,500 ↑ 26%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 20%
$1,243/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 14%
906,480
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Columbus, OH and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 83 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $175/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $2,100/year.

Median household income is $2,858/year higher in Columbus. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Columbus is $234,500 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Columbus or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Columbus and Amarillo?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,224/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $175/month.
Which city has higher income, Columbus or Amarillo?
Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $2,858/year higher in Columbus.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Texas?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Columbus or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Columbus has a cost index of 83 with median rent of $1,224/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 Columbus details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Columbus and Amarillo

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