Amarillo TX vs Fayetteville 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%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.6% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 38.3% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.1% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 13.0% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $56,395 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $31,467 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 8.2% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 18.1% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $226,710 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 46.5% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 40.4% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 61.2°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 45.4 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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