Amarillo TX vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Denver
27.9%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.2 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 68.0% | 62.9% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.6% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 27.9% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $541,899 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 49.1% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 25.9% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.4 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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