Amarillo TX vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.2 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 68.0% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 7.4% | 4.4% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.5% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 26.6% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $435,670 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 71.8°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 26.7 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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