Amarillo TX vs Grand Rapids MI — 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 197,768 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 68.0% | 61.0% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.9% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 16.1% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $33,953 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.0% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 18.6% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $309,801 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 54.6% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.9% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.6% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 38.3 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.1 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Amarillo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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