Amarillo TX vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 68.0% | 44.0% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 14.7% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Durham
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.2% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $399,509 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 51.8% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.8% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 57.9°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 47.8 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.3 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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