Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs Amarillo, TX (2026)

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Mesa is 55% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,478/mo ↑ 41%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 29%
$78,779/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 21%
$364,300 ↑ 95%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 49%
$1,404/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 24%
507,478
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.62%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $429/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $5,148/year.

Median household income is $16,310/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Mesa or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and Amarillo?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $429/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or Amarillo?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $16,310/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Texas?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/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 Mesa details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Mesa and Amarillo

Mesa vs. Kansas City Mesa vs. Atlanta Mesa vs. Sacramento Mesa vs. Omaha Mesa vs. Tucson Mesa vs. Colorado Springs Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor