Amarillo TX vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 183,032 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 42.9 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 68.0% | 51.3% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.6% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 20.1% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.3% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $510,297 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 53.8% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 75.5°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 66.5 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.5 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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