Amarillo TX vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.5% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 45.4% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 12.7% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $48,050 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $30,995 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.2% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 27.4% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 30.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Buffalo
$241,380
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $241,380 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 42.7% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 38.4% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.1% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.5% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 40.5 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Buffalo
21.6 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.6 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, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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