Amarillo TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 176,666 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 68.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.6% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 23.4% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.3% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $438,754 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 55.7% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.4% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 39.7 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.5 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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