Amarillo vs El Paso — side-by-side
Cost of living: Amarillo vs El Paso (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Amarillo buys roughly what $60,000 does in El Paso (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,200/yr
Favoring Amarillo for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $100/mo in Amarillo, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Amarillo Texas | El Paso Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $750Better | $850 | Amarillo wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Amarillo |
| 1BR rent/mo | $950Better | $1,050 | Amarillo wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Amarillo |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,250Better | $1,400 | Amarillo wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Amarillo |
| Median home price | $200KBetter | $215K | Amarillo wins +$15K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 91Better | 91 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $10Better | $11 | Amarillo wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $44Better | $46 | Amarillo wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $38Better | $40 | Amarillo wins +$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $2.98Better | $3.00 | Amarillo wins +$0.02 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $160Better | $162 | Amarillo wins +$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $170Better | $175 | Amarillo wins +$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $50KBetter | $48K | Amarillo wins −$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 8.3% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $12.00Better | $13.00 | Amarillo wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $28Wins | $32 | Amarillo wins +$4/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $4.50Better | $5.00 | Amarillo wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 80Better | 80 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 28Wins | El Paso wins +6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Amarillo fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Amarillo.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Amarillo vs El Paso?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Amarillo is $950/month and in El Paso is $1,050/month. Amarillo is cheaper by 10%.
How much do I need to earn in El Paso to match a $75,000 salary in Amarillo?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in El Paso to match a $75,000 salary in Amarillo. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Amarillo or El Paso?
El Paso has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. El Paso has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Amarillo to El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Amarillo ↔ El Paso
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