Amarillo TX vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 170,013 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 68.0% | 35.5% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.0% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $29,766 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.1% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 20.1% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $466,147 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 58.4% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.3% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 62.1°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 33.0 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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