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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Sacramento is 91% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,694/mo ↑ 61%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 38%
$83,753/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 25%
$484,600 ↑ 159%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 61%
$1,752/mo ↑ 63%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 39%
524,802
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $645/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $7,740/year.

Median household income is $21,284/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 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

Sacramento vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Sacramento or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Amarillo?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $645/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Amarillo?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $21,284/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Sacramento and Amarillo

Sacramento vs. Tucson Sacramento vs. Kansas City Sacramento vs. Fresno Sacramento vs. Mesa Sacramento vs. Albuquerque Sacramento vs. Atlanta Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor