Amarillo TX vs Arvada CO — 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%
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Arvada
122,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Arvada
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Arvada
40.2
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Arvada
5.2%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Arvada
1.0%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Arvada
2.6%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Arvada
15.4%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 122,835 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 40.2 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.2% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 82.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.0% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.6% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 15.4% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Arvada
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $113,396 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $56,655 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 6.0% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 50.0% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Arvada
$617,536
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $617,536 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 74.9% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Arvada
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Arvada
3234
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Arvada
19.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 23.4% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.3% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.1% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 8.4% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.9% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.3% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Arvada
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Arvada
28.6 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.6 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, 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 512 in Arvada. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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