Amarillo TX vs Knoxville 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 193,721 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.0% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 7.4% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.6% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 7.5% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Knoxville
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $50,994 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $33,171 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.4% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 20.5% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $371,202 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 46.6% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Knoxville, 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%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 22.0% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.8% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 57.8°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 51.9 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.0 min | Amarillo + |
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 Knoxville. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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