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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Irvine is 271% more expensive than Amarillo.

$2,893/mo ↑ 176%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 64%
$129,647/yr ↑ 108%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 52%
$1,115,400 ↑ 497%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 83%
$2,904/mo ↑ 170%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 63%
308,160
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,844/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $22,128/year.

Median household income is $67,178/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 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

Irvine vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Irvine or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Amarillo?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $1,844/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Amarillo?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $67,178/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Amarillo details →

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