Amarillo TX vs Athens GA — 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%
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Athens
126,987
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Athens
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Athens
9.8%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Athens
57.6%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Athens
11.5%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 126,987 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 29.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 9.8% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 57.6% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 26.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 11.5% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Athens
$51,655
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Athens
$31,836
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Athens
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Athens
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Athens
26.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $51,655 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $31,836 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.2% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 26.3% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 48.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Athens
$341,821
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Athens
40.5%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $341,821 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 40.5% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Athens
392
Athens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Athens
1752
Athens +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 392 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1752 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Athens
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Athens
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Athens
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Athens
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Athens
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Athens
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Athens
46.3 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 62.6°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 46.3 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Athens
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Athens
22.3 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.3 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Amarillo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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