Cost of Living: Fresno, CA vs Amarillo, TX (2026)

Fresno

California
101
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Fresno is 46% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,324/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 21%
$66,804/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 6%
$348,500 ↑ 87%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 46%
$1,391/mo ↑ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 23%
543,615
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $275/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $3,300/year.

Median household income is $4,335/year higher in Fresno. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Fresno or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Amarillo?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $275/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Amarillo?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $4,335/year higher in Fresno.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/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 Fresno details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fresno and Amarillo

Fresno vs. Albuquerque Fresno vs. Tucson Fresno vs. Milwaukee Fresno vs. Sacramento Fresno vs. Baltimore Fresno vs. Kansas City Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor