Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Amarillo, TX
VS
Chicago, IL
🏆 Amarillo leads 13 of 23 categories
Amarillo
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,628
Violent Crime Index
182⚠ High
Population
200,360
Chicago
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Amarillo, TX
Pros
Homes cost $132k less ($172,700 vs $304,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.7 pts lower (3.5%)
Rent averages $317/mo less ($997 vs $1,314)
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 32°F
Cons
Violent crime (690.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Chicago by $11,045/yr
Property crime (2655.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Chicago, IL
Pros
22% less violent crime than Amarillo
Households earn $11,045 more per year on average
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 92°F
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Amarillo
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Amarillo
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Amarillo
Median Home Value
$132k less
$172,700 vs $304,500
Amarillo
Unemployment
4.7 pp lower
3.5% vs 8.2% unemployment
Amarillo
Summer Heat
11.0°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 81.0°F
Chicago
Median Income
$11,045
$71,673 vs $60,628/yr
Chicago
Violent Crime
22% lower
539.8 vs 690.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 ✓ Lower | $304,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $997 ✓ Lower | $1,314 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,628 | $71,673 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 8.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.5 min ✓ Shorter | 34.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 4.9% | 15.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 160⚠ High | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 182⚠ High | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 165⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | A (118) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.2% | 42.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.1% | 86.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | AMARILLO ISD | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.7°F ✓ Warmer | 31.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer | 81.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.7" ✓ Drier | 34.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.2" ✓ Less | 38.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 200,360 | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% ✓ Higher | 45.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 14.5% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Amarillo's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Chicago's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Amarillo is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Amarillo leads 13 of 23 categories. Amarillo wins 13 and Chicago wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Amarillo to Chicago or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $304,500 median home), income ($60,628 vs $71,673), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Amarillo, TX and Chicago, IL are about 890 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.