Amarillo TX vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 98,677 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.0 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.5% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 57.5% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.1% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 8.6% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $52,671 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $34,792 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.5% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 19.7% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $279,668 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 51.7% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.9% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 44.5 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.6 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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