Amarillo TX vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 161,993 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 68.0% | 21.8% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.4% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $28,813 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.7% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 15.5% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $751,711 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 47.0% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Amarillo +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 22.4% | Amarillo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.8 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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