Can I Afford to Live in Amarillo vs Chicago on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Amarillo, TX
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $950/mo (11% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Chicago, IL
$8,331/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (23% of take-home)
Comfortable
Share on X

Monthly budget breakdown

Amarillo
TX
Chicago
IL
Monthly take-home (est.)
$8,944Best ✓
$8,331
1BR rent
$950Best ✓
$1,900
Groceries (est.)
$346Best ✓
$388
Transport (est.)
$38Best ✓
$105
Utilities
$170
$165Best ✓
Internet
$60Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$7,380/month
$5,708/month
Amarillo (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Chicago (IL rate: 4.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Amarillo?

At $150K/year in Amarillo, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $950/month, rent takes up 11% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $150K a good salary in Chicago?

At $150K/year in Chicago, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,331. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 23% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Amarillo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $7,380/month vs $5,708/month in Chicago.

Can I afford to live alone in Amarillo on $150K?

Yes. At $150K in Amarillo, rent takes 11% of your take-home, leaving $7,380/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Amarillo vs Chicago

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only