Amarillo, TX vs San Marcos, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Amarillo is 17.5% cheaper than San Marcos. With a cost index of 79 vs 96, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Amarillo to San Marcos should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month compared to $1,299/month in San Marcos — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Amarillo is more affordable at $186,800 median vs $269,700.

Median household income in Amarillo is $62,469 compared to $51,030 in San Marcos (+22.4%). Amarillo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Amarillo spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, less than the 30.5% in San Marcos. The Amarillo ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.