Amarillo, TX vs McAllen, TX

McAllen is moderately more affordable than Amarillo, with a 5.2% lower cost of living index. Amarillo scores 79 compared to 75 for McAllen, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Amarillo can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month compared to $1,017/month in McAllen — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McAllen is more affordable at $173,800 median vs $186,800.

Median household income in Amarillo is $62,469 compared to $60,165 in McAllen (+3.8%). The higher salaries in Amarillo partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Amarillo spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, less than the 20.3% in McAllen.