Amarillo TX vs Downey CA — 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 114,617 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 68.0% | 21.0% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 0.4% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.5% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Downey
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Downey
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $23,265 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.0% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 16.6% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 10.6% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $888,820 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 33.7% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 14.8% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 33.1 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, 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 503 in Downey. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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