Amarillo TX vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Paterson
N/A
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 68.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $527,542 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Amarillo +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.1% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.6% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 28.6% | Amarillo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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