Amarillo, TX vs McKinney, TX

The cost of living difference between Amarillo, TX and McKinney, TX is dramatic. Amarillo is 38.1% cheaper than McKinney, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Amarillo has a cost index of 79 while McKinney sits at 128, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month compared to $1,841/month in McKinney — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Amarillo is more affordable at $186,800 median vs $439,500.

Median household income in Amarillo is $62,469 compared to $120,273 in McKinney (-48.1%). While McKinney is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Amarillo spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in McKinney.