Amarillo TX vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 8.3% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 41.5% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.2% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 20.0% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $46,628 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $30,451 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 26.6% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $241,627 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 37.2% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.3% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.6% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.6 min | Tie |
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, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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 38.0%.
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