Amarillo TX vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.1 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.9% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 11.7% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.6% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 8.0% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $39,575 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $24,029 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 14.1% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 31.5% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 17.6% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 49.7% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 45.6% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.2% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 22.6% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 21.8% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Detroit
31.3 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 31.3 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.3 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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