Amarillo TX vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.2 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 68.0% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 7.4% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 9.2% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.0% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $332,727 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 53.6% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 45.2 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.5 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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