Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Amarillo to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Amarillo has a median household income of $65,912, median gross rent of $1,092, median home value of $196,900, and a 21-minute commute. Los Angeles reports $81,939 income, $1,933 rent, $921,21,200 home value, and a 33-minute commute. Los Angeles applies a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 9.30% in the calculator, while Amarillo’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference. The uniform non-housing baseline is $1,250/month for both. Amarillo offers lower housing costs and shorter commutes relative to income, while Los Angeles provides higher income but at significantly higher housing expenses and longer commute times, creating a trade-off between affordability and earning potential.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → AmarilloMoving from Amarillo to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$841/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$10,092 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+12 min / day
Difference of ~100 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTAMA → LAX
33/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$8,124after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Amarillo is about $10,092 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Amarillo household income$65,912
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Amarillo gross rent$1,092
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Amarillo | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 201,885 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $65,912 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,092 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $196,900 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Amarillo and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- Derived one-way commute time
What each city wins
Amarillo
Median rent is 20% of median income.. Watch lower home values may reflect fewer high-end amenities or slower appreciation..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Amarillo and Los Angeles relative to income?
Amarillo’s median gross rent is $1,092 (19.9% of $65,912 income), while Los Angeles’ is $1,933 (28.3% of $81,939 income). Rent consumes a smaller share of income in Amarillo, indicating greater housing affordability relative to earnings.
What is the trade-off between income and commute time in these two cities?
Los Angeles offers a higher median income ($81,939 vs $65,912) but with a longer commute (33 vs 21 minutes). Amarillo trades lower income for significantly shorter commute times, presenting a choice between earning potential and time spent traveling.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.