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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

San Jose is 268% more expensive than Amarillo.

$2,617/mo ↑ 149%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 60%
$141,565/yr ↑ 127%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 56%
$1,187,800 ↑ 536%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 84%
$2,775/mo ↑ 158%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 61%
990,054
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,568/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $18,816/year.

Median household income is $79,096/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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 Jose vs Amarillo — common questions

Is San Jose or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Amarillo?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $1,568/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Amarillo?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $79,096/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Jose and Amarillo

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