CostIndexUSA

Amarillo, TX vs San Diego, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Amarillo
91.8
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Amarillo is significantly cheaper than San Diego — 21.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $97,500 in San Diego. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+128.7%
Amarillo
78.4
San Diego
179.3
🛒 Groceries+15.1%
Amarillo
93.8
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation+3.5%
Amarillo
101.1
San Diego
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+3.5%
Amarillo
91.4
San Diego
94.6
Utilities+108.6%
Amarillo
83.5
San Diego
174.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Amarillo to see what you'd need to earn in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$97,500
$17,500 more needed in San Diego

Formula: salary × (111.9 ÷ 91.8) = salary × 1.2190. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Amarillo, TX

Median Home Price
$211,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
78.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$904,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.2×

San Diego has 128.7% higher housing costs compared to Amarillo.

Income & Job Market

Amarillo, TX

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
200,393
Top Industries
AgricultureEnergyHealthcareManufacturingRetail

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Amarillo, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

San Diego, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.