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

Oakland

California
195
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Oakland is 183% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,917/mo ↑ 83%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 45%
$97,369/yr ↑ 56%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 36%
$924,700 ↑ 395%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 80%
$2,164/mo ↑ 101%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 50%
438,072
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $868/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $10,416/year.

Median household income is $34,900/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 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

Oakland vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Oakland or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Amarillo?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $868/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Amarillo?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $34,900/year higher in Oakland.
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 Oakland or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/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 Oakland details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

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