Amarillo TX vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 68.0% | 39.1% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 29.6% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 16.8% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $324,183 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 45.5% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.0% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 37.8 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 36.5 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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