Amarillo TX vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 71,455 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.1 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 4.6% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 7.4% | 6.3% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.0% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 5.6% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $55,429 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 21.1% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $294,254 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 49.8% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 21.1% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.4% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
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, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Amarillo, TX vs New York, NYAmarillo, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAmarillo, TX vs Chicago, ILAmarillo, TX vs Houston, TXAmarillo, TX vs Phoenix, AZAmarillo, TX vs Philadelphia, PA