Amarillo TX vs Billings MT — 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%
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Billings
2.0%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 118,321 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.1 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 2.0% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.0% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 0.9% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 7.2% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,117 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 37.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $398,212 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 433 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 33.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 20.0% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.1% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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