Cost of Living: Scottsdale, AZ vs Amarillo, TX (2026)

Scottsdale

Arizona
165
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Scottsdale is 139% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,910/mo ↑ 82%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 45%
$107,372/yr ↑ 72%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 42%
$709,900 ↑ 280%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 74%
$1,824/mo ↑ 70%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 41%
242,169
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.62%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Scottsdale, AZ and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 165 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $861/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $10,332/year.

Median household income is $44,903/year higher in Scottsdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Scottsdale is $709,900 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scottsdale vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Scottsdale or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 165 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Scottsdale and Amarillo?
Median rent in Scottsdale is $1,910/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $861/month.
Which city has higher income, Scottsdale or Amarillo?
Median household income is $107,372 in Scottsdale and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $44,903/year higher in Scottsdale.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Texas?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Scottsdale or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Scottsdale has a cost index of 165 with median rent of $1,910/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 Scottsdale details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Scottsdale and Amarillo

Scottsdale vs. Garland Scottsdale vs. Boise Scottsdale vs. Glendale Scottsdale vs. Arlington Scottsdale vs. Winston-Salem Scottsdale vs. Norfolk Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor