Amarillo TX vs Fresno CA — 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 68.0% | 38.0% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 6.7% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $31,012 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 8.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 20.9% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 24.9% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $391,442 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 49.7% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.5% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.1% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 15.3% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.8% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 64.2°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Fresno
23.7 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.7 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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