Amarillo TX vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 26,509 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.7 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.1% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 7.4% | 3.6% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 3.9% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $344,633 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 34.0 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.3 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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