Amarillo TX vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 129,064 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 9.7% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.9% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 3.7% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Fargo
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $318,584 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 44.1% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 21.5% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 22.6 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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