Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Amarillo, TX (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Houston is 28% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,313/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 20%
$62,894/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$62,469/yr ≈ Same
$253,400 ↑ 36%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 26%
$1,316/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 18%
2,300,419
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $264/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $3,168/year.

Median household income is $425/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Houston or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Amarillo?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $264/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Amarillo?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $425/year higher in Houston.
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 Houston or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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 Houston details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

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