Amarillo TX vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 154,776 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 68.0% | 44.0% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $59,183 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $28,059 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.5% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 17.9% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 20.2% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.2% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.3% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 38.1 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.7 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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