Amarillo TX vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 149,519 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 41.6 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 6.8% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 7.4% | 4.8% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.6% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 19.2% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.2% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $422,520 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 32.8 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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