Amarillo TX vs Charleston WV — 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%
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 47,918 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 42.6 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 3.9% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 7.4% | 11.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.7% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 1.9% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Charleston
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Charleston
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $64,512 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $50,163 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.3% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 16.5% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 40.2% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.2% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.7% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 53.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 46.2 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Charleston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Amarillo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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