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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

San Diego is 186% more expensive than Amarillo.

$2,223/mo ↑ 112%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 53%
$104,321/yr ↑ 67%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 40%
$848,500 ↑ 354%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 78%
$2,308/mo ↑ 115%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 53%
1,385,061
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,174/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $14,088/year.

Median household income is $41,852/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 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

San Diego vs Amarillo — common questions

Is San Diego or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Amarillo?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $1,174/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Amarillo?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $41,852/year higher in San Diego.
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 San Diego or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/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 San Diego details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Diego and Amarillo

San Diego vs. San Antonio San Diego vs. Dallas San Diego vs. Philadelphia San Diego vs. San Jose San Diego vs. Phoenix San Diego vs. Austin Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor