Amarillo, TX Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Amarillo, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Amarillo →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Amarillo counts roughly 200,360 residents, and the median household brings in $60,628 annually — -16% relative to the cities in our dataset, putting incomes here below the pack.
In Amarillo, the median home is valued at $172,700 — below the median across the cities we track (-47%) — and typical rent runs $997 a month. Factor in mortgage rates and property taxes when sizing up whether buying pencils out.
At roughly 2.8 times median household income, home values in Amarillo are on the affordable end compared to the cities we cover. The local market has seen 1.46% price growth over the past year — solid, sustainable movement rather than a rapid runup. Natural-hazard exposure in Amarillo is rated Relatively Moderate by FEMA — modest risk that generally keeps insurance premiums more manageable.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $997/mo in Amarillo would take 19.7% of your income.
$519/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($172,700) would take 18.2% of your income toward principal & interest.
$493/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Amarillo
Median home value is $172,700 and median gross rent is $997/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Potter rose 1.46% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,106/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Amarillo's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Amarillo reported a violent crime rate of 550.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Amarillo
Planning a move to Amarillo? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Amarillo, TX?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Amarillo's median home value at $172,700, median rent at $997/month, and median household income at $60,628.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Amarillo?
- At Amarillo's median rent of $997/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $39,880 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Amarillo.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Amarillo?
- With a median home value of $172,700 and median rent of $997/month, renting comfortably in Amarillo takes about $39,880/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $39,513/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Amarillo safe?
- Amarillo reported a violent crime rate of 550.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for Amarillo →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Amarillo's.