Cost of Living: Denver, CO vs Amarillo, TX (2026)

Denver

Colorado
147
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Denver is 113% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,770/mo ↑ 69%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 41%
$91,681/yr ↑ 47%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 32%
$586,700 ↑ 214%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 68%
$1,839/mo ↑ 71%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 42%
713,734
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

4.4%
Income Tax
0%
2.9%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.51%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Denver, CO and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 147 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $721/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $8,652/year.

Median household income is $29,212/year higher in Denver. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Denver is $586,700 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Colorado's 4.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Denver vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Denver or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 147 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Amarillo?
Median rent in Denver is $1,770/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $721/month.
Which city has higher income, Denver or Amarillo?
Median household income is $91,681 in Denver and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $29,212/year higher in Denver.
How do taxes compare between Colorado and Texas?
Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Denver or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Denver has a cost index of 147 with median rent of $1,770/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 Denver details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Denver and Amarillo

Denver vs. Seattle Denver vs. Oklahoma City Denver vs. San Francisco Denver vs. Nashville Denver vs. Indianapolis Denver vs. El Paso Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor