Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Amarillo, TX
VS
Providence, RI
🏆 Amarillo leads 16 of 23 categories
Amarillo
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,628
Violent Crime Index
182⚠ High
Population
200,360 ✓ Larger
Providence
Rhode Island
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,365 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Amarillo, TX
Pros
Homes cost $120k less ($172,700 vs $293,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (3.5%)
Rent averages $217/mo less ($997 vs $1,214)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Providence
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 38°F
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
Providence, RI
Pros
60% less violent crime than Amarillo
More college-educated — 34.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 92°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Amarillo
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Amarillo
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Amarillo
Median Home Value
$120k less
$172,700 vs $293,000
Amarillo
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
3.5% vs 7.2% unemployment
Amarillo
Summer Heat
8.4°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 83.6°F
Providence
Median Income
$737
$61,365 vs $60,628/yr
Providence
Violent Crime
60% lower
276.7 vs 690.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Providence, RI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 ✓ Lower | $293,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $997 ✓ Lower | $1,214 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,628 | $61,365 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 7.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.5 min ✓ Shorter | 24.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 4.9% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 160⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 182⚠ High | 73 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.2% | 34.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.1% ✓ Higher | 82.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | AMARILLO ISD | Providence |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.7°F ✓ Warmer | 38.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.7" ✓ Drier | 47.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.2" ✓ Less | 36.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 200,360 ✓ Larger | 189,715 |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 32.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% ✓ Higher | 39.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 14.5% ✓ More | 11.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Amarillo's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Providence's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Amarillo is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Amarillo leads 16 of 23 categories. Amarillo wins 16 and Providence wins 7. 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 Providence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $293,000 median home), income ($60,628 vs $61,365), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Amarillo, TX and Providence, RI are about 1,697 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.