Can I Afford to Live in Midland vs Amarillo on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Midland, TX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (24% of take-home)
Comfortable
Amarillo, TX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $950/mo (19% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Midland
TX
Amarillo
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,057Best ✓
$5,057
1BR rent
$1,200
$950Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$365
$346Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$35Best ✓
$38
Utilities
$178
$170Best ✓
Internet
$65
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,214/month
$3,493/month
Both Midland and Amarillo have no state income tax — your take-home is higher than in most states.

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Midland?

At $80K/year in Midland, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 24% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in Amarillo?

At $80K/year in Amarillo, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $950/month, rent takes up 19% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Amarillo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,493/month vs $3,214/month in Midland.

Can I afford to live alone in Midland on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in Midland, rent takes 24% of your take-home, leaving $3,214/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Midland vs Amarillo

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$120K$150K

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