Abilene, TX vs Amarillo, TX

Abilene, TX and Amarillo, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Abilene scores 80 while Amarillo scores 79 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Abilene is $1,106/month compared to $1,049/month in Amarillo — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Amarillo has cheaper rent, Abilene actually has lower median home values ($178,900 vs $186,800).

Median household income in Abilene is $62,720 compared to $62,469 in Amarillo (+0.4%). Abilene does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Abilene spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 20.2% in Amarillo.