Amarillo TX vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 44,998 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 57.8 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 68.0% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.4% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 24.3% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 8.2% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $503,393 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.6% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 63.5°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.1 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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