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

Riverside

California
144
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Riverside is 109% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,812/mo ↑ 73%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 42%
$88,575/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 29%
$542,100 ↑ 190%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 66%
$1,880/mo ↑ 75%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 43%
316,241
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Riverside, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $763/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $9,156/year.

Median household income is $26,106/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Riverside is $542,100 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

Riverside vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Riverside or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Riverside and Amarillo?
Median rent in Riverside is $1,812/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $763/month.
Which city has higher income, Riverside or Amarillo?
Median household income is $88,575 in Riverside and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $26,106/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Riverside has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $1,812/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 Riverside details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Riverside and Amarillo

Riverside vs. Corpus Christi Riverside vs. Orlando Riverside vs. Stockton Riverside vs. Santa Ana Riverside vs. Lexington Riverside vs. Cincinnati Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor