Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Amarillo, TX (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

El Paso and Amarillo have a similar cost of living.

$1,041/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ≈ Same
$58,734/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↑ 6%
$171,700 ↓ 8%
Home Value
$186,800 ↑ 9%
$1,044/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↑ 3%
678,147
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $3,735/year higher in Amarillo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Amarillo — common questions

Is El Paso or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 69 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Amarillo?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $8/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Amarillo?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $3,735/year higher in Amarillo.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Amarillo

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