Amarillo TX vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 117,460 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 68.0% | 39.1% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 12.8% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.3% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $313,219 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 48.5% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.8% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 26.8 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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