Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Amarillo, TX
VS
Phoenix, AZ
🏆 Amarillo leads 12 of 22 categories
Amarillo
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,628
Violent Crime Index
182⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
200,360
Phoenix
Arizona
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$72,092 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Amarillo, TX
Pros
Homes cost $168k less ($172,700 vs $340,200)
Rent averages $325/mo less ($997 vs $1,322)
14% less violent crime than Phoenix
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (3.5%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
Cons
Violent crime (690.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Phoenix by $11,464/yr
Property crime (2655.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Households earn $11,464 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 51°F
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.2% vs 3.5%)
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Amarillo
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Amarillo
Violent Crime
14% lower
690.5 vs 799.6 per 100k
Amarillo
Median Home Value
$168k less
$172,700 vs $340,200
Amarillo
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
3.5% vs 5.2% unemployment
Phoenix
Median Income
$11,464
$72,092 vs $60,628/yr
Phoenix
Summer Heat
12.0°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 92.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.4 |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 ✓ Lower | $340,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $997 ✓ Lower | $1,322 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,628 | $72,092 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 5.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.5 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 4.9% | 14.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 182⚠ High ✓ Safer | 210⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.2% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.1% ✓ Higher | 83.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | AMARILLO ISD | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.7°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.0°F | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.7" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.2" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 200,360 | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% ✓ Higher | 56.4% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 24.5% |
| Over 65 | 14.5% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Amarillo's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Phoenix's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Amarillo is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Amarillo leads 12 of 22 categories. Amarillo wins 12 and Phoenix 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 Phoenix or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $340,200 median home), income ($60,628 vs $72,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Amarillo, TX and Phoenix, AZ are about 595 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.