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City Report · TX

Amarillo

Pop. 201,885·242nd most expensive in Texas·Amarillo rents are up 5.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,278/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.9%
Month-over-Month
-1.1%
vs US Median
-$687
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Amarillo · $1,278
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
53/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Amarillo's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,278/mo
Expected by trend
$1,296/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Amarillo's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$860
1 BR
$1,007
2 BR
$1,226
3 BR
$1,684
4 BR+
$1,954
Research median
$1,226/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,336/yr
At $1,278/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.9% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.9% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Amarillo, TX is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 26.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
201,885
Median income
$65,912
Median age
35.1
Renters
40.3%
Age distribution
26%
23.8%
25%
15.1%
Under 1826%
18–3423.8%
35–5425%
55–6410%
65+15.1%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
62.7%
34.2%
White62.7%
Black7.5%
Hispanic34.2%
Asian3.9%
Education (25+)
13.5%
26.8%
33%
26.6%
No HS diploma13.5%
HS diploma26.8%
Some college33%
Bachelor's+26.6%
Housing tenure
59.7%
40.3%
Owner59.7%
Renter40.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Amarillo, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,022 → $1,278
up 25.0%
Income
$55,174 → $65,912
up 19.5%
Population
200,371 → 201,885
up 0.8%
Renter share
41.3% → 40.3%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
24.3% → 26.6%
+2.3 pts
Median age
34.1 → 35.1
+1.0 yrs

Rent in Amarillo, TX has increased 25.0% since 2021, going from about $1,022 per month to roughly $1,278 today. On the earnings side, the typical household in Amarillo, TX now reports about $65,912, up from $55,174 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 5.5 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 24.3% to 26.6%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Amarillo, TX reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Amarillo rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Amarillo on your salary?

At $1,278/mo, how Amarillo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Amarillo rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Amarillo. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Amarillo

About renting in Amarillo, TX

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Amarillo is $1,278/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $860/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,226/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,007/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,684/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($65,912/yr), Amarillo ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Amarillo an affordable city for renters?

Amarillo is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,278/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($65,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Amarillo falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Amarillo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,278/mo in Amarillo. The local median household income is $65,912/yr, meaning the typical Amarillo household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Amarillo?

Rent in Amarillo has increased 5.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Amarillo neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Amarillo are 79107 ($1,034/mo), 79109 ($1,109/mo), and 79106 ($1,190/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Amarillo is $1,278/mo.

How does Amarillo rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Amarillo is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #242 out of 269 tracked cities at $1,278/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Amarillo?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Amarillo ($1,278/mo): Portales ($862/mo), Clovis ($1,206/mo).

What percentage of Amarillo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.3% of Amarillo households are renters, while 59.7% are owner-occupied. Amarillo leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Amarillo rent compare to the national average?

Amarillo's median rent of $1,278/mo is $687 (35%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #242 out of 269 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,278/mo, rent takes ~23% of Amarillo's median household income ($65,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Amarillo 23%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Amarillo affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Amarillo, TX

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