Amarillo TX vs Bellingham WA — 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%
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 92,367 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 9.1% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.3% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 10.0% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Bellingham
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Bellingham
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 18.3% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $669,185 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 45.2% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.7% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.5% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Bellingham
35.3 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 51.7°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 35.3 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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