Amarillo TX vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 68.0% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.4% | 7.1% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 9.3% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 16.2% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $429,253 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 46.6% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 20.8% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 37.3 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Madison, WI | 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 +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.2 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Amarillo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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