Amarillo TX vs Anchorage AK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Anchorage
10.9%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Anchorage
58.3%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Anchorage
5.3%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Anchorage
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 289,069 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.9 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.9% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 58.3% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.3% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 9.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 9.3% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Anchorage
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $98,152 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $49,338 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,233 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 9.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 37.7% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Anchorage
$414,014
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $414,014 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 63.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Anchorage
780
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 780 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1849 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Anchorage
18.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.2% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.0% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.4% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 9.7% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.0% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 37.0°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 16.7 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.4 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
Amarillo, TX vs New York, NYAmarillo, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAmarillo, TX vs Chicago, ILAmarillo, TX vs Houston, TXAmarillo, TX vs Phoenix, AZAmarillo, TX vs Philadelphia, PA