Amarillo TX vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Sparks
N/A
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 68.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $530,668 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.7% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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