Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Amarillo, TX
VS
Independence, MO
🏆 Amarillo leads 13 of 23 categories
Amarillo
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,628 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
182⚠ High
Population
200,360 ✓ Larger
Independence
Missouri
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
122,218
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Amarillo, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (3.5%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 38°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
More college-educated — 25.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $3,213 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (690.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2655.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Independence, MO
Pros
17% less violent crime than Amarillo
Homes cost $22k less ($150,800 vs $172,700)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 92°F
Cons
Violent crime (571.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3523.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 3.5%)
Median income trails Amarillo by $3,213/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Amarillo
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Amarillo
Median Income
$3,213
$60,628 vs $57,415/yr
Amarillo
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
3.5% vs 6.2% unemployment
Amarillo
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 86.9°F
Independence
Violent Crime
17% lower
571.2 vs 690.5 per 100k
Independence
Median Home Value
$22k less
$150,800 vs $172,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Independence, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 | $150,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $997 ✓ Lower | $1,020 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,628 ✓ Higher | $57,415 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.5 min ✓ Shorter | 23.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 4.9% | 8.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 160⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 182⚠ High | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 168⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.2% ✓ Higher | 19.5% |
| High School or Higher | 86.1% | 90.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | AMARILLO ISD | INDEPENDENCE 30 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.7°F ✓ Warmer | 37.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer | 86.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.7" ✓ Drier | 44.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.2" | 13.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 200,360 ✓ Larger | 122,218 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 60.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 22.6% |
| Over 65 | 14.5% | 18.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Amarillo's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Independence's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Amarillo is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Amarillo leads 13 of 23 categories. Amarillo wins 13 and Independence 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 Independence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $150,800 median home), income ($60,628 vs $57,415), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Amarillo, TX and Independence, MO are about 492 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.