Amarillo, TX vs Plano, TX

The cost of living difference between Amarillo, TX and Plano, TX is dramatic. Amarillo is 37.4% cheaper than Plano, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Amarillo has a cost index of 79 while Plano sits at 126, 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 $1,792/month in Plano — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Amarillo is more affordable at $186,800 median vs $440,600.

Median household income in Amarillo is $62,469 compared to $108,649 in Plano (-42.5%). While Plano 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 19.8% in Plano.