Amarillo TX vs Wichita 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.0% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 66.6% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 18.4% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.7% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 15.9% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 58.4% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.5% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 32.6 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Wichita 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%.
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