Amarillo TX vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 135,887 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.8 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 68.0% | 24.8% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.8% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $28,490 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 14.2% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $531,592 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 25.4% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.7% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 28.1% | Amarillo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.0% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 29.3 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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