Amarillo TX vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.1 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.3% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 39.3% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.6% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 8.3% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Columbus
$56,622
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Columbus
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Columbus
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $56,622 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $32,811 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.5% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 18.8% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 29.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 50.2% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Columbus
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 40.3% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.5% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.1% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 14.8% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.1% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 64.4°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 49.6 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Columbus
21.6 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Columbus, GA | 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 columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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%.
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