Amarillo TX vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 118,578 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.5 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.7% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 7.4% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.3% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 8.9% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 16.3% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $265,013 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 46.8% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 42.7% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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