Amarillo TX vs Kansas City MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 8.5% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 57.8% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.7% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 12.3% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.7% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $253,319 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 54.6% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Kansas City
38.5%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 38.5% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 38.9 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.4 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. 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, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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