Amarillo TX vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 127,200 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 8.1% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 7.4% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 4.3% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $64,488 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $37,359 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 20.0% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $323,876 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 49.4% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.1% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.5% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 46.3 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbia, MO | 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
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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