Amarillo TX vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 68.0% | 66.9% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 16.0% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,226 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.8% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Des Moines
$210,703
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $210,703 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.4% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.0% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.8% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 35.6 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Des Moines
21.1 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.1 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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