Amarillo TX vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 68.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Grand Island
$254,245
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $254,245 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1960 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Grand Island
17.5%
Grand Island +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.5% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.6% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 17.5% | Grand Island + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.1% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Grand Island
26.7 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 26.7 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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