Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Amarillo to Phoenix
The 2024 ACS 5-year estimates show Amarillo has lower median income ($65,912) and housing costs (rent $1,092, home value $196,900) with a shorter commute (21 min), while Phoenix reports higher income ($81,332) but elevated rents ($1,582), home values ($420,700), and longer commutes (28 min). Amarillo’s tax-excluded profile contrasts with Phoenix’s 2.50% modeled state income tax reference, creating a trade-off where Amarillo offers lower housing burden and commute time despite lower earnings, whereas Phoenix provides higher income at the cost of significantly increased housing expenses and commute duration, with no universal winner due to differing household priorities.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → AmarilloMoving from Amarillo to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$490/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$5,880 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+7 min / day
Difference of ~58 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
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 → PHX
50/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$3,704after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Amarillo is about $5,880 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Amarillo gross rent$1,092
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Amarillo | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 201,885 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $65,912 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,092 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $196,900 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Amarillo and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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 disparity
- Housing cost relative to earnings
- Commute time difference
- Modeled state income tax reference
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Amarillo and Phoenix relative to income?
In Amarillo, median gross rent is $1,092 (19.9% of $65,912 income), while in Phoenix it is $1,582 (23.3% of $81,332 income), indicating a slightly higher rent burden in Phoenix despite higher earnings.
What is the trade-off between commute time and income in these two cities?
Phoenix offers $15,420 more in median household income than Amarillo but requires 7 additional minutes of one-way commute time daily, presenting a time-earnings trade-off where higher pay comes with longer travel.
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.