Amarillo TX vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 147,649 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.5 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 68.0% | 55.5% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.7% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 20.6% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $53,328 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $30,409 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 8.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 21.9% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 23.2% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 53.8% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 44.7% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.4% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.0% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.1% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 36.2 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.7 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Amarillo 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%.
Compare More Cities
Amarillo, TX vs New York, NYAmarillo, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAmarillo, TX vs Chicago, ILAmarillo, TX vs Houston, TXAmarillo, TX vs Phoenix, AZAmarillo, TX vs Philadelphia, PA