Amarillo TX vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 126,103 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.2 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.3% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 7.4% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.8% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 16.9% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $55,902 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $33,290 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 59.2% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.7% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 39.0 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
Compare More Cities
Amarillo, TX vs New York, NYAmarillo, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAmarillo, TX vs Chicago, ILAmarillo, TX vs Houston, TXAmarillo, TX vs Phoenix, AZAmarillo, TX vs Philadelphia, PA