CostIndexUSA

Amarillo, TX vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Amarillo
91.8
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is slightly cheaper than Amarillo — 4.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $76,400 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.8%
Amarillo
78.4
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Amarillo
93.8
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Amarillo
101.1
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Amarillo
91.4
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities+1.1%
Amarillo
83.5
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$76,400
$3,600 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 91.8) = salary × 0.9553. 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×

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
58.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Amarillo has 25.8% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

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

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Household Income
$58,200
Per Capita Income
$33,200
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
99,543
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingAutomotiveGovernment

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)

Tuscaloosa, AL
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.