Skyline of Amarillo
Cost of Living: 88 200,000

Amarillo, TX, US

Yellow Rose of Texas with the Cadillac Ranch, Palo Duro Canyon, and cattle ranching.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 88

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 90

Affordable

Median Income $52,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.2%

Job market health

Amarillo vs US Average

Cost of Living
Amarillo: 88
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Amarillo: 90
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 8.2%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $52,000
  • Unemployment: 3.2%
  • Population: 200,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 93°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $200,000
  • 1BR Rent: $950/mo

Cost of Living

Amarillo's cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100).

CategoryAmarilloNational AverageDifference
Overall88100-12.0%
Housing90100-10.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$200,000
Median Rent (1BR)$950/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,188/mo
Price per Sq Ft$133

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

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$90,000 down
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Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Amarillo:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$88Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$73Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$16Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$65Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$337Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Amarillo scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
88
Rent
$950
Sunny Days
260
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.2%
Climate
93°F / 30°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
200,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Amarillo has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April78°F45°F2.8"
July93°F68°F1.5"
October73°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Amarillo faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Hurricane High Risk

Gulf Coast frequently affected by hurricanes.

Flood High Risk

Coastal flooding and flash floods.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Winter storms.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 8.25%
  • Property Tax: ~1.8% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Schools & Education

65/100
School Quality Score
Better than 46% of US cities
?
76
Total Schools
9.2:1
Student:Teacher
86.9%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Amarillo, TX, US?

The cost of living index in Amarillo is 88, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Amarillo?

The median home price in Amarillo is $200,000. The housing index is 90.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Amarillo is approximately $950/mo.

Does Amarillo, TX have income tax?

Amarillo is in TX, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Amarillo?

Amarillo enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 93°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.