Amarillo TX vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 186,419 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 68.0% | 60.1% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 23.1% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.7% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 16.2% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $468,328 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 41.6% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.3% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 71.3°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.2 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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