Amarillo TX vs Boston MA — 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%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Boston
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 68.0% | 47.8% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 18.9% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.0% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 16.9% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $793,154 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 35.4% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.0% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 20.7% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 43.8 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 33.1 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Amarillo, TX vs New York, NYAmarillo, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAmarillo, TX vs Chicago, ILAmarillo, TX vs Houston, TXAmarillo, TX vs Phoenix, AZAmarillo, TX vs Philadelphia, PA