Amarillo TX vs Birmingham AL — 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%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Birmingham
199,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 199,322 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.9 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 4.4% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 25.6% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.4% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 4.9% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $44,376 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $31,616 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.1% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 25.2% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 30.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 45.1% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 42.2% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.2% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.5% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.6% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Birmingham
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 63.3°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 53.7 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Birmingham
23.2 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.2 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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