salaryRent is lower than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.6 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $48,760 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Texas. It is number 132 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Amarillo with other big cities
Compare Amarillo to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Amarillo?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Amarillo
| Size | Amarillo | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $916 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $902 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,128 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,486 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,702 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Amarillo overall?
Everyday prices in the Amarillo metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Amarillo
Life in Amarillo
What jobs pay in Amarillo
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $143,520 | 10.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,990 | 11.0% |
| Lawyer | $130,580 | 11.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,150 | 12.3% |
| Software Developer | $116,530 | 12.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $97,620 | 15.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $86,850 | 16.8% |
| Operations Manager | $85,770 | 17.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,990 | 17.2% |
| Police Officer | $78,900 | 18.5% |
| Accountant | $76,200 | 19.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $75,910 | 19.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,380 | 23.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,330 | 23.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,170 | 23.9% |
| Plumber | $55,970 | 26.1% |
| Electrician | $54,360 | 26.9% |
| Truck Driver | $54,290 | 26.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $49,840 | 29.3% |
| Firefighter | $48,420 | 30.2% |
| Carpenter | $47,780 | 30.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,990 | 37.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,170 | 39.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,060 | 39.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,700 | 39.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,560 | 47.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,310 | 49.9% |
| Cashier | $27,750 | 52.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,710 | 64.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Amarillo?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $147 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $196,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,690 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Amarillo, TX?
Renting in Amarillo costs a median of about $1,219 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in Amarillo?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $48,760 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Amarillo cheap or expensive?
Amarillo is rated OK: rent takes 20.6% of the typical household income of $71,086. It ranks 132nd cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Amarillo?
The median homeowner in Amarillo pays $3,000 a year in property taxes, about 1.52% of the median home value.
Is Amarillo more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Amarillo?
The median home value in Amarillo is $196,900, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
201,885 people live in Amarillo. Numbers are typical (middle) values.