Amarillo TX vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 125,983 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.5 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 68.0% | 45.5% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 25.4% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Pasadena
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $218,978 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Pasadena
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Pasadena
2339
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Amarillo +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Pasadena
17.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.1% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 32.1% | Amarillo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Pasadena, TX | 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
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 36.1 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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