Cost of Living: New Orleans, LA vs Amarillo, TX (2026)

New Orleans

Louisiana
90
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

New Orleans is 30% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,211/mo ↑ 15%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 13%
$55,339/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↑ 13%
$296,400 ↑ 59%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 37%
$1,274/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 16%
376,035
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

4.25%
Income Tax
0%
4.45%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.55%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New Orleans, LA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 90 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $162/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $1,944/year.

Median household income is $7,130/year higher in Amarillo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New Orleans is $296,400 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Orleans vs Amarillo — common questions

Is New Orleans or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 90 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New Orleans and Amarillo?
Median rent in New Orleans is $1,211/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $162/month.
Which city has higher income, New Orleans or Amarillo?
Median household income is $55,339 in New Orleans and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $7,130/year higher in Amarillo.
How do taxes compare between Louisiana and Texas?
Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to New Orleans or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. New Orleans has a cost index of 90 with median rent of $1,211/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 New Orleans details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for New Orleans and Amarillo

New Orleans vs. Aurora New Orleans vs. Cleveland New Orleans vs. Tampa New Orleans vs. Honolulu New Orleans vs. Arlington New Orleans vs. Anaheim Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor